ISO DIS addresses social responsibility concepts.
Press Release Summary:
International Organization for Standardization Working Group on Social Responsibility (ISO SR) announced that ISO 26000, Guidance on social responsibility, is published as a Draft International Standard (DIS). It will help usher organizations toward sustainable global economy by establishing common guidance on social responsibility concepts, definitions, and evaluation methods. National member bodies of ISO are invited to vote and comment on DIS text during 5-month balloting period.
Original Press Release:
ISO Releases Draft International Standard on Social Responsibility
The International Organization for Standardization Working Group on Social Responsibility (ISO SR) has announced that ISO 26000, Guidance on social responsibility, is now published as a Draft International Standard (DIS).
ISO 26000 is intended to assist in ushering companies, government agencies, and other organizations toward a more sustainable global economy by establishing common guidance on social responsibility concepts, definitions, and methods of evaluation.
National member bodies of ISO are now invited to vote and comment on the text of the DIS during a five-month balloting period. Participating liaison organizations can also comment. Comments received by the February 14, 2010, deadline will be discussed at the next ISO SR meeting in May 2010.
If the outcome of the DIS voting is positive, the modified document will then be circulated to the ISO members as a Final Draft International Standard (FDIS). If that vote is positive, ISO 26000 will then be published as an International Standard in late 2010.
Several key messages about ISO 26000 are included in the introduction of the DIS. They state that the document:
Provides guidance on the underlying principles of social responsibility, the core subjects and issues pertaining to social responsibility, and the ways to integrate socially responsible behavior into existing organizational strategies, systems, practices, and processes.
Is intended to be useful to all types of organizations in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, whether large or small, and whether operating in developed or developing countries.
Is not a management system standard. It is not intended or appropriate for certification purposes or regulatory or contractual use.
Is intended for use by those beginning to address social responsibility as well as those more experienced with its implementation.
The ANSI-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO SR is administered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). In this capacity, ASQ staff provides administrative facilitation for all aspects of the TAG's work.
To learn more about ISO 26000 and to view the DIS, visit www.iso.org/sr and the related ISO news item.
For more information, see these related ANSI news items:
ISO Social Responsibility Working Group Makes Strides at Seventh Plenary (June 11, 2009)
ISO Social Responsibility Working Group Leaders Report Preliminary Voting Results on ISO Committee Draft 26000 (March 18, 2009)
U.S. Technical Advisory Group Reaches Consensus National Position on Draft ISO Standard on Social Responsibility (March 11, 2009)
U.S. Input Sought for Draft ISO Standard on Social Responsibility (December 23, 2008)
