ISO-26000 Guidance on social responsibility

ISO 26000 provides guidance to all types of organizations, regardless of their size or location, on:

• concepts, terms and definitions related to social responsibility;
• the background, trends and characteristics of social responsibility;
• principles and practices relating to social responsibility;
• the core subjects and issues of social responsibility;
• integrating, implementing and promoting socially responsible behaviour throughout the organization and, through its policies and practices, within its sphere of influence;
• identifying and engaging with stakeholders; and
• communicating commitments, performance and other information related to social responsibility.

ISO 26000 is intended to assist organizations in contributing to sustainable development. It is intended to encourage them to go beyond legal compliance, recognizing that compliance with law is a fundamental duty of any organization and an essential part of their social responsibility. It is intended to promote common understanding in the field of social responsibility, and to complement other instruments and initiatives for social responsibility, not to replace them.

In applying ISO 26000, it is advisable that an organization take into consideration societal, environmental, legal, cultural, political and organizational diversity, as well as differences in economic conditions, while being consistent with international norms of behaviour.

ISO 26000 is not a management system standard. It is not intended or appropriate for certification purposes or regulatory or contractual use. Any offer to certify, or claims to be certified, to ISO 26000 would be a misrepresentation of the intent and purpose and a misuse of ISO 26000. As ISO 26000 does not contain requirements, any such certification would not be a demonstration of conformity with ISO 26000.