Understanding ISO 26000 : A Practical Approach to Social Responsibility

There can be no doubt that great expectations are now being placed on all organizations to take responsibility for the impact of their decisions and activities.

Transparency is called for, ethical behaviour is required as a minimum, and the consequences for failing to meet the demands of stakeholders are severe.

But where do you start? ISO 26000 takes the pioneering step of setting out an internationally agreed set of principles and guidelines for the social responsibility of all organizations, whether they be multi-national companies, small businesses, charities, or governments.

It is set to become the standard used by organizations around the globe as the foundation of their social responsibility practices. With a Foreword from Kevin McKinley, Deputy Secretary-General of ISO and a Preface from Jorge Cajazeira, the Chair of the Working Group that developed the standard, this book provides the background and some deeper insight into the interpretation and implications of ISO 26000, as well as into how it might be used. Aimed at both specialists and non-experts alike, this definitive guide should be the first point of reference for all those working on responsibility issues within companies and other organizations as well as those working in the field of standardization and in academia.