ISO 26000 certification

ISO 26000 Certification promotes social responsibility and sustainability. It aims to create a healthy ecosystem that focuses on growth in a sustainable manner. It is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Every organization has some responsibility toward society, and there are factors to measure the organization’s performance. A corporate responsibility outlines the strategy for sustainable development using ethical business practices and engaging stakeholders.

 

ISO 26000:2010 is a stepping stone for public and private sector organizations to operate in a socially responsible manner. It provides a basic understanding of the international standard that creates better societal, environmental, cultural, political, legal, and organizational diversity.

Development at the cost of the environment will negatively impact the overall health of the world’s ecosystem. ISO 26000 standards are subject to greater scrutiny by related stakeholders, customers, employees, and investors.

 

ISO 26000:2010 Certification offers a set of right things and practices for an organization to ensure an equitable society, a healthy ecosystem, and good organizational governance. It provides a suitable direction for organizations to enhance their overall performance.

 

Growth at the cost of harming the environment and ecosystem will not reap the desired outcomes in the long run. Organizations go for ISO 26000 certification to demonstrate their commitment to social welfare and the environment.

ISO 26000:2010 certification outlines the requirements for social responsibility and sustainable development. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed the guidelines of the standard to achieve desired outcomes.

 

Implementing ISO 26000:2010 standards can help organizations to unfold new opportunities while ensuring social welfare. It offers the following benefits:

 

Provides a competitive advantage 

 

ISO 26000 certification standards offer a set of ethical and socially responsible practices for organizations. It helps organizations sustainably expand their business. It distinguishes your company from competitors.

 

• Better reputation 

 

Transparency and accountability are two building blocks that demonstrate an organization’s responsible behavior. Acquiring an ISO 26000 certification creates a better image of your organization. Organizations can easily incorporate the standard into brand building.

 

• Builds long-term relationships with the stakeholders 

 

It improves the relationship between the organization and its related stakeholders, including clients, customers, and partners. ISO 26000 standards demonstrate your commitment to a healthy ecosystem and ability to operate in a socially responsible manner.

 

• Assists organizations in avoiding regulatory fines and penalties 

 

ISO 26000 certification Promoting social responsibility and sustainable development. It is a voluntary standard though adhering to it can help organizations avoid regulatory fines and penalties. The certification maintains compliance with all the laws, standards, and regulations related to ethical and safe business practices.

ISO 26000 certification is not an official certification; instead, it is a voluntary initiative. Organizations with an ISO 26000 certification demonstrate their commitment to creating a healthy ecosystem and sustainable development.

 

ISO 26000:2010 certification offers certifiable tools for organizations and helps them create a healthy ecosystem. It applies to all organizations, including public, private, and non-profit organizations, regardless of their size.

 

The following organizations can apply for ISO 26000 certifications:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises
• Foundations, charities, and NGOs
• Large multinational corporations
• Consultancies
• Extractive industries, such as mining and fossil fuel companies
• The public sector organizations
• Municipal Governments
• Service and financial industries
• Farmers and agribusiness

The objective of ISO 26000 standards is to promote sustainable development while demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility. Annex A of the standard contains a list of examples explaining how organizations can voluntarily implement certifiable tools (ISO and non-ISO).

 

ISO 26000:2010 certification process is as follows :-

 

• Stage One (documentation review) – In the first stage, the auditors from the certification body verify the documents required for ISO 26000 certification.

 

• Stage Two (main audit) –In this stage, certification bodies measure the compliance of your organization with the requirements of ISO 26000 certification.

ISO 26000:2010 certification provides a holistic approach for an organization to enhance its operations. It helps organizations identify issues defying the core objective of social responsibility. It defines the seven core subjects to make more responsible decisions and adopt ethical business practices.

These seven core subjects are:

1. Organizational Governance (Subclause 6.2)
2. Human Rights (Subclause 6.3)

6.3.3 Due diligence

6.3.4 Human rights risk situations

6.3.5 Avoidance of Complicity

6.3.6 Resolving grievances

6.3.7 Discrimination and vulnerable groups

6.3.8 Civil and political rights

6.3.9 Economic, social, and cultural rights

6.3.10 Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

3. Labor Practices (Subclause 6.4) 

6.4.3 Employment and employment relationships

6.4.4 Conditions of Work and Social Protection

6.4.5 Social Dialogue

6.4.6 Health and Safety at Work

6.4.7 Human Development and Training in the Workplace

4. Environment (Subclause 6.5)

6.5.3 Prevention of pollution

6.5.4 Sustainable resource use

6.5.5 Climate change mitigation and Adaptation

6.5.6 Protection of the environment, biodiversity, and restoration of natural habitats

5. Fair Operating Practices (Subclause 6.6)

6.6.3 Anti-corruption

6.6.4 Responsible political involvement

6.6.5 Fair competition

6.6.6 Promoting social responsibility in the value chain

6.6.7 Respect for property rights

6. Consumer Issues (Subclause 6.7)

6.7.3 Fair marketing, factual and unbiased information, and fair contractual practices

6.7.4 Protecting Consumers’ Health and Safety

6.7.5 Sustainable consumption

6.7.6 Consumer service, support, and complaint and dispute resolution

6.7.7 Consumer data protection and Privacy

6.7.8 Access to essential services

6.7.9 Education and Awareness

7. Community Involvement and Development (Subclause 6.8)

6.8.3 Community involvement

6.8.4 Education and Culture

6.8.5 Employment Creation and skills development

6.8.6 Technology Development and Access

6.8.7 Wealth and income creation

6.8.8 Health

6.8.9 Social investment

It assesses the performance of an organization and addresses concerns about social responsibilities. ISO 26000 requirements help organizations achieve their mission and vision while ensuring social welfare and the well-being of related stakeholders. ISO 26000 standards follow seven underlying principles of social responsibility to achieve the desired outcomes. These are:

1. Accountability
2. Transparency
3. Ethical Behavior
4. Respect for Stakeholder interests
5. Respect for The Rule of Law
6. Respect for International Norms of Behavior
7. Respect for Human Rights

1. Customer focus – aiming to improve for the betterment of the interested parties and customer, this will help one sustain customer, increase customer base, makes sure to communicate their needs and expectation by monitoring throughout the organization

 

2. Leadership – to achieve quality objectives leaders need to establish unity of purpose which is by aligning its strategy, policies, procedure and resource this will lead to better coordination of the organization’s processes one needs to establish a culture of trust and integrity, provide people with required resource, training, authority to act with accountability

 

3. Engagement of people – for efficiency involve people of all levels, this can be done by communicating with the employees their needs in the organization, sharing knowledge, and experience, recognizing people’s contribution, learning, and improvement.

 

4. Process approach – when activities are understood and then executed then the efficiency of the delivered output will increase, by understanding the organization’s capabilities and determining resource constraints prior to action.

 

5. Improvement- improvement is important for an organization to maintain the current level of performance and to even keep on developing, this can be done by giving proper training and letting them understand that how does a work happens with that track, review and audit planning, implementation, recognize and acknowledgment, which will result into anticipation of internal and external risks and opportunity, improved process performance.

 

6. Evidence-based decision making – learn from mistakes, it is simply that decisions should be driven from evaluation of data, this will help one take better efficient solutions adding more, intuitions should never be neglected.

 

7. Relationship management – manage relations with relevant interested parties such as providers, one can achieve by keeping a well-managed supply chain that provides a stable flow of products and services, determining interested party’s relationship that needs to manage.