ISO 26000
Ensure the success and sustainability of your CSR initiatives
When adopting a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, it is important for an organisation to be able to measure its performance in order to minimise reputational risks. While analysing the risks linked to the execution of CSR programmes, challenging situations such as ensuring the transparency and consistency of the activity may occur.
The ISO 26000 guidelines governing social responsibility have particular utility for organisations seeking to demonstrate their CSR commitment in relevant issues such as human rights and labour practices, energy and environmental impacts as well as operating practices and consumer issues.
The central premise in conducting business now lies within a ‘shared value’. The challenge for business enterprises is to create value for stakeholders while benefiting society as a whole, creating a win-win proposition. Business leaders and key decision makers are increasingly engaged on this front and strive to gain the goodwill and acceptance of society within the communities in which they operate.
Organisations seeking to approach CSR in a structured and reliable manner can benefit greatly from the ISO 26000 guidelines for social responsibility. TÜV SÜD, with a tailor-made assessment tool, can measure a programme’s performance and identify improvements and risks linked to an organisation’s business strategy.
The assessment is normally structured in tailor-made steps of verification. The output of this verification process can be made available both internally within the company and publicly. The organisation may also choose to define a boundary for assessment in relation to the core issues of the standard, focusing on the one most crucial to the company itself and their business practices.
The core subjects identified in ISO 26000 are related to different areas and are closely tied to the governance strategy of the organisation:
- Human Rights
- Labour Practices
- Environment
- Operating Practices
- Consumer
- Community and Development
Following the standard in ISO 26000 allows the company to commit to a long-term goal. The company will have an internationally standardised framework to base their social responsibility activities on. Upon the internalisation of the requirements needed, the organisation will be able to reduce operational and reputation risks and work towards a sustainable future. ISO 26000 is important as it allows decision makers to understand what is relevant for stakeholders.
TÜV SÜD’s stable of international experts are well-equipped to provide tailor-made assessment solutions on the topic of CSR based on international standards such as ISO 26000. The assessment process will help the organisation gain insights from an external party. The impartiality and expert point of view offered will help shape the strategy and consistency of the CSR programme. It will also help identify risks linked to specific areas such as supply chain management, which has ties to human rights protection.
- In-depth assessment - TÜV SÜD can tailor a unique programme to suit your organisation’s needs. Regardless of the level of CSR integration within the company, the assessment is applicable to organisations of all industries and size. The verification process allows the company to understand its strengths and weaknesses of the CSR programme. For a company which is just starting out on their CSR initiative, the ISO 26000 assessment can function as an invaluable foundation where activities can be developed upon.
- Relevant certifications - The ISO 26000 guidelines combine the benefit of engaging the internal stakeholders and external members of the public with the ability to meet the increasing demand for more transparent and ethical operations worldwide. Even though the ISO 26000 guidance is not certifiable, it is fully compatible with other standards and management systems such as the SA8000®, OHSAS 180001 and ISO 14001 certifications.
The central premise in conducting business now lies within a ‘shared value’. The challenge for business enterprises is to create value for stakeholders while benefiting society as a whole, creating a win-win proposition. Business leaders and key decision makers are increasingly engaged on this front and strive to gain the goodwill and acceptance of society within the communities in which they operate.
Organisations seeking to approach CSR in a structured and reliable manner can benefit greatly from the ISO 26000 guidelines for social responsibility. TÜV SÜD, with a tailor-made assessment tool, can measure a programme’s performance and identify improvements and risks linked to an organisation’s business strategy.
The assessment is normally structured in tailor-made steps of verification. The output of this verification process can be made available both internally within the company and publicly. The organisation may also choose to define a boundary for assessment in relation to the core issues of the standard, focusing on the one most crucial to the company itself and their business practices.
The core subjects identified in ISO 26000 are related to different areas and are closely tied to the governance strategy of the organisation:
- Human Rights
- Labour Practices
- Environment
- Operating Practices
- Consumer
- Community and Development
Following the standard in ISO 26000 allows the company to commit to a long-term goal. The company will have an internationally standardised framework to base their social responsibility activities on. Upon the internalisation of the requirements needed, the organisation will be able to reduce operational and reputation risks and work towards a sustainable future. ISO 26000 is important as it allows decision makers to understand what is relevant for stakeholders.
TÜV SÜD’s stable of international experts are well-equipped to provide tailor-made assessment solutions on the topic of CSR based on international standards such as ISO 26000. The assessment process will help the organisation gain insights from an external party. The impartiality and expert point of view offered will help shape the strategy and consistency of the CSR programme. It will also help identify risks linked to specific areas such as supply chain management, which has ties to human rights protection.
- In-depth assessment - TÜV SÜD can tailor a unique programme to suit your organisation’s needs. Regardless of the level of CSR integration within the company, the assessment is applicable to organisations of all industries and size. The verification process allows the company to understand its strengths and weaknesses of the CSR programme. For a company which is just starting out on their CSR initiative, the ISO 26000 assessment can function as an invaluable foundation where activities can be developed upon.
- Relevant certifications - The ISO 26000 guidelines combine the benefit of engaging the internal stakeholders and external members of the public with the ability to meet the increasing demand for more transparent and ethical operations worldwide. Even though the ISO 26000 guidance is not certifiable, it is fully compatible with other standards and management systems such as the SA8000®, OHSAS 180001 and ISO 14001 certifications.
Your benefits at a glance
- Develop a long term strategy - By adhering to the ISO 26000 guide, you minimise reputational risks and increase transparency to potential investors and sponsors concerned with issues on social responsibility and sustainable development.
- Increase transparency - A third party assessment will help the company to demonstrate to stakeholders its own performance and ability to meet the needs of interested parties.
- Reduce reputation risks - Implementing a strategy based upon ISO 26000, the company will have the tools to analyse itself and its own risks. The external assessment done by TUV SUD will support the company in identifying risks and reducing them.