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What role does the ISO 26000 standard play in CSR?
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ISO 26000 serves as an international standard designed to assist organisations in effectively evaluating and addressing their social responsibilities. It helps them identify and prioritise what is relevant and significant to their mission, vision, operations, and processes. Additionally, it encourages them to consider the impact of their actions on customers, employees, communities, stakeholders, and the environment.
👉 In this article we’ll explore what ISO 26000 is, and how companies can implement an effective CSR strategy that aligns with the standard.
What is ISO 26000?
ISO 26000 is a standard developed by the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO), which provides guidance on social responsibility. Unlike other ISO standards, it is not certifiable but serves as a voluntary framework to help organisations effectively implement social responsibility principles. Launched in 2010, ISO 26000 offers a global resource for best practices in social responsibility, applicable to organisations of any size, activity, or location.
The development of ISO 26000 was a comprehensive process involving five years of extensive negotiations with stakeholders worldwide, including government representatives, NGOs, industry experts, consumer groups, and labor organisations. This collaborative effort ensured that the standard reflects an international consensus, integrating diverse perspectives and expertise.
“ By incorporating these insights, ISO 26000 provides a robust foundation for navigating social responsibility, clarifying its principles, translating them into effective actions, and fostering the sharing of international norms. ”
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Corporate Social responsibility issues
In the context of companies, social responsibility (also referred to as Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR) is the commitment of businesses to contribute positively to society while managing their operations ethically and sustainably.
It encompasses a range of practices that aim to have a beneficial impact on various stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, and the environment. This involves adopting fair labor practices, reducing environmental footprints, engaging in philanthropy, ensuring ethical sourcing, promoting transparency, and respecting stakeholder interests. By integrating social responsibility into their business strategies, companies can enhance their reputation, foster customer loyalty, and contribute to long-term societal well-being.
“ 👉 The European Commission, in its 2001 Green Paper, defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a “concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.” ”
What is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international organisation that develops and publishes standards to ensure the quality, safety, efficiency, and interoperability of products, services, and systems. Founded in 1947, ISO brings together experts from various industries to create consensus-based standards that facilitate global trade, innovation, and technological development. With over 23,000 standards covering diverse sectors, ISO plays a crucial role in enhancing product quality, promoting safety, and fostering international collaboration.
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Common ISO Standards
| ISO Standard | Description | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 20400 | Guidance on sustainable procurement, ensuring organisations make purchasing decisions that benefit society and the environment. | Learn more |
| ISO 14004 | Environmental management systems - General guidelines on principles, systems, and support techniques. | Learn more |
| ISO 14001 | Environmental management systems - Requirements with guidance for use. | Learn more |
| ISO 14067 | Greenhouse gases - Carbon footprint of products - Requirements and guidelines for quantification. | Learn more |
| ISO 14044 | Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Requirements and guidelines. | Learn more |
| ISO 50001 | Energy management systems - Requirements with guidance for use. | Learn more |
| ISO 9001 | Quality management systems - Requirements for organisations to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. | Learn more |
ISO 26000 seven key principles
The ISO 26000 standard encompasses seven core principles that serve as a foundation for companies to develop their action plans. Each of the seven core subjects addresses various strategies for action, providing guidance for responsible and sustainable practices:
- Organisational governance - This principle focuses on promoting transparent and accountable decision-making processes within organisations, encouraging integrity and ethical behaviour.
- Human rights - This covers a wide range of human rights aspects, including combating discrimination, upholding civil and political rights, ensuring fair working rights, and fostering equal opportunities for all individuals.
- Working relations and practices - This principle emphasises the importance of maintaining positive employer-employee relations, promoting social protection measures, ensuring workplace health and safety, and fostering a positive work environment.
- Environmental responsibility - This principle emphasises the significance of environmental stewardship, including measures for pollution prevention, sustainable resource management, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Fair operating practices - This principle focuses on promoting fair business practices, such as implementing anti-corruption measures, ensuring fair competition, respecting intellectual property rights, and promoting responsible marketing and advertising.
- Consumer protection - This emphasises the importance of protecting consumer rights, including fair marketing practices, product safety, privacy protection, and providing accurate and transparent information to consumers.
- Contribution to sustainable development - This principle encourages organisations to actively contribute to sustainable development in their communities and beyond. This can include initiatives such as community involvement, job creation, the support of education and training, and the promotion of social welfare.
👉 The ISO 26000 standard provides a roadmap for each of these seven principles, enabling companies to conduct self-assessments and identify areas for improvement. These guidelines are applicable to various fields and cover the entire scope of an organisation's operations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to social responsibility.
“ By aligning with the core principles of ISO 26000, companies can enhance their overall sustainability performance, foster positive stakeholder relationships, and contribute to the betterment of society and the environment. ”
Why doesn't ISO 26000 offer certification?
As we’ve already discussed, implementing ISO 26000 does not involve certification or lead to certification. Unlike other well-known ISO standards, ISO 26000 is not designed for certification purposes. Instead, it provides guidelines to assist organisations in understanding and implementing social responsibility principles effectively.
“ ISO 26000 operates as a valuable tool for clarifying the concept of social responsibility, helping companies and organisations translate these principles into actionable strategies, and facilitating the sharing of best practices in CSR globally. It is applicable to organisations of all types, regardless of their activity, size, or location. ”
👉 It is important to note that ISO 26000 is not a management system but rather an approach that can be evaluated by independent bodies. Organisations can consider other certification options and labels to demonstrate their commitment to CSR. For example, in the UK, the BS 8900 certification provides a framework for integrating sustainable development into business practices. It encompasses economic, social, and environmental aspects, enabling organisations to effectively manage their sustainability performance.
Assessments such as this can provide an evaluation or score based on the organisation's implementation of the ISO 26000 standard. However, it is essential to emphasise that ISO 26000 evaluations do not result in certification.
👉 To find out more about implementing a CSR approach in your company, why not read our article.
ISO 2600 in more detail…
The ISO 26000 standard and the CSR approach are closely interconnected. ISO 26000 plays a crucial role in assisting companies in planning, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of CSR practices.
ISO 26000 and sustainable development
The guidelines provided by ISO 26000 make a significant contribution to embracing sustainable development (SD), which entails an economic growth approach that considers long-term perspectives and integrates ecological and social considerations.
The concept of sustainable development, encompassing economic, social, and environmental aspects, aligns closely with the themes covered by ISO 26000. As a result, the implementation of the ISO 26000 standard can have a positive impact on various areas, leading to improved company performance.
By adopting sustainable marketing and CSR practices in line with ISO 26000, organisations can expect to benefit from:
- Enhanced reputation - Demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility can improve a company’s public image and build trust with customers, employees, and other stakeholders.
- Increased competitiveness - Companies that integrate sustainable practices can gain a competitive edge, attracting customers and investors who prioritise ethical practices.
- Risk management - Identifying and addressing social responsibility issues can help mitigate risks related to legal compliance, environmental impact, and social unrest.
- Employee satisfaction - Fostering a responsible and ethical workplace can enhance employee morale, retention, and productivity.
- Long-term sustainability - Integrating social responsibility into business strategies ensures long-term sustainability and resilience in a rapidly changing global market.
“ Implementing ISO 26000 and embracing sustainable development principles can create a positive business environment that considers social and environmental factors alongside economic considerations, leading to long-term success and resilience. ”
ISO 26000 and the evaluation of a company’s CSR policy
While ISO 26000 does not provide certification, external agents can evaluate a company’s CSR approach and assign a score based on the seven core principles of ISO 26000. This evaluation offers a reliable and comprehensive method for assessing your company's CSR policy.
To enhance the credibility of your CSR approach, you can also conduct a self-assessment using the ISO 26000 criteria. Through an ISO 26000 assessment, you can gain valuable insights, including:
- Initial assessment of your CSR commitment based on the seven key criteria of ISO 26000;
- Identification of strengths and areas for continuous improvement within your CSR practices;
- Comparison of your Corporate Social Responsibility positioning with other companies operating in your market;
- Status report on the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your company's strategy, governance, and management system - particularly if your organisation is actively contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.
By leveraging ISO 26000 assessments, you can obtain an objective evaluation of your CSR efforts, identify areas for enhancement, and benchmark your performance against industry peers. This process enables you to align your CSR practices with international standards and demonstrate your commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices.
ISO 26000 tools and guidance
The experts at ISO have created several documents to help organisations implement the ISO 26000 standard. These resources include:
- Communication Protocol - This document provides organisations with appropriate wording to effectively communicate about their ISO 26000 implementation.
- Training Materials - ISO has developed training materials, including PowerPoint presentations and training structures in PDF format, to facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development related to ISO 26000.
- Documents Linking ISO 26000 - These materials establish connections between ISO 26000 and other important frameworks, such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
These valuable resources, along with other materials, are readily available on the ISO website. They provide organisations with comprehensive information and guidance to support their understanding and implementation of the ISO 26000 standard.
ISO 2600 and emissions reductions
One of the core principles of ISO 26000 is Environmental Responsibility. This principle highlights the importance of environmental stewardship and encourages organisations to prioritise actions that promote sustainability, including a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Organisations are encouraged to measure, monitor, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This involves measuring emissions, setting targets, and adopting carbon footprint reduction strategies.
This is why conducting a carbon assessment for your company is an essential initial step towards implementing a robust CSR approach aligned with the principles of ISO 26000. A carbon assessment will allow you to understand and quantify your company's carbon footprint, identifying areas where emissions can be reduced and sustainability practices can be enhanced.
By conducting a carbon assessment, you can gain valuable insights into your company's environmental impact, paving the way for informed decision-making and targeted actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It demonstrates a company’s commitment to environmental responsibility and aligns with the Environmental Responsibility principle of ISO 26000.
👉 Initiate a carbon assessment for your company with Greenly, a specialised carbon accounting company. Our expertise and solutions streamline the process, allowing you to measure and understand your carbon footprint accurately. Take action now to demonstrate sustainability commitment and contribute to a greener future.
Steps to implement ISO 26000
Implementing ISO 26000 involves detailed and structured steps to ensure the effective integration of socially responsible behaviour at the corporate level:
Inventory creation:
- Assess current practices: Conduct a thorough evaluation of existing practices related to social responsibility.
- Identify stakeholders: Determine all relevant stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, and the community.
- Evaluate impacts: Assess the organisation's social, environmental, and economic impacts.
- Define priorities: Identify critical areas and prioritise actions based on impact and feasibility.
Action implementation:
- Develop a plan: Create a detailed action plan outlining specific steps, timelines, and responsible parties.
- Integrate into operations: Embed social responsibility practices into everyday business operations, policies, and procedures.
- Training and development: Educate employees about social responsibility principles and their roles in implementing the plan.
- Resource allocation: Ensure adequate resources are allocated for the successful implementation of the action plan.
Stakeholder communication:
- Transparency: Regularly communicate progress, challenges, and achievements related to social responsibility initiatives.
- Engagement: Foster ongoing dialogue with stakeholders to gather feedback and build trust.
- Reporting: Publish regular reports detailing social responsibility activities, outcomes, and future plans.
- Public relations: Use various communication channels to highlight the organisation's commitment to social responsibility and its positive impacts.
By following these detailed steps, organisations can effectively implement ISO 26000, making a substantial positive impact on their operations and stakeholder relationships.
Reminder: Unlike sector-specific standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the ISO 26000 standard is applicable to organisations of all sizes, from start-ups to large corporations, no matter where they are in the world.
Where can the ISO 26000 guidance be found?
ISO 26000 incorporates various documents from renowned international organisations such as the UN, ILO, UNEP, UN Global Compact, European Union, and OECD, among others, which provide valuable insights on CSR topics. To access the standard detailing the "Guidance on social responsibility," you can obtain the PDF format of the document on the ISO website, here.
What other standards are related to sustainable development?
While ISO 26000 is an important standard related to sustainable development (SD) and corporate social responsibility (CSR), it is not the sole standard addressing these issues.
Sustainable development encompasses three core principles: environment, social, and quality. For each of these aspects, there are specific international standards in place:
- Environment - ISO 14001 standard establishes requirements for an environmental management system. It enables companies to identify and control their environmental impact, covering activities, products, and services.
- Social - The OHSAS 18001 standard focuses on employee health and safety management systems. It outlines requirements for identifying and managing working conditions and health risks within organisations.
- Quality - The ISO 9001 standard defines requirements for a quality management system. Its objective is to ensure and enhance customer satisfaction through effective quality management practices.
These standards provide organisations with guidance and frameworks to address environmental, social, and quality aspects of their operations. They complement the ISO 26000 standard by providing more specific requirements and guidelines in these particular areas.
By considering these standards collectively, organisations can develop comprehensive approaches to sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, and quality management, aligning their practices with recognised international benchmarks.
How can Greenly help your company effectively implement the ISO 26000 standard?
Greenly offers comprehensive carbon management services to assist with the environmental aspects of ISO 26000. Here's how Greenly can support your journey:
Start your climate journey:
- Measure your GHG emissions, including Scope 1, 2, and 3, with precision.
- Develop custom action plans with the help of our climate experts to achieve emission reductions.
Measure accurately:
- Use state-of-the-art technology to measure your carbon footprint, ensuring accurate accounting for all emission scopes.
Monitor with ease:
- Analyse emissions, set reduction targets, and achieve significant cuts with expert guidance.
Decarbonise your supply chain:
- Engage suppliers in your Net Zero journey, reducing and monitoring their emissions.
- Improve transparency and communication by analysing Scope 3 emissions.
Unveil product impact with Greenly's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
- Perform LCAs to gain a competitive edge and transparency.
- Personalise the LCA to fit your company's specific needs and preferences.
By leveraging Greenly’s expertise and advanced tools, you can effectively manage and reduce your carbon footprint, aligning with ISO 26000’s social responsibility principles. Get in touch with us today!
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