An updated overview of ISO/CD 26000, the ISO Guide on social responsibility In my earlier blog I have mentioned to cover the clauses and other features of the Standard in my next blog, to complete the overview.
Thinking about CSR and the next step forward ! – Part 2(a)
Thinking about CSR and the next step forward ! – Part 2(b)
Intro
In this blog I have listed the major clauses, the sub-clauses -each major clause wise, the core subjects and the issues addressed under each core subject, and about the model.
I have only tried to make it be presented step by step so that the volume of writing does not seem weighing.
It is hoped that it would provide a perspective to sequentially understand the contents of the Standard.
For the reflective readers of the community this level of details would be enough to provide an overview, it was thought. It is posted for a leisurely reading, dwelling on one heading after another.
I have also made a few observations as to how one may, once convinced, initiate adoption of Standard in an organization.
A Note:
Title of the Standard is: Guidance on social responsibility
It is presently a Committee Draft (CD). It is likely to undergo some changes and later become a Standard.
1
Major clauses of the Standard:
As mentioned earlier, the major clauses in the Standard are:
1 Scope
2 Terms and definitions
3 Understanding social responsibility
4 Principles of social responsibility
5 Recognizing social responsibility and engaging stakeholders
6 Guidance on social responsibility core subjects
7 Guidance on integrating social responsibility throughout the organization
2
The sub-clauses:
Under 3, the sub-clauses are:
3.1 General
3.2 The social responsibility of organizations
3.3 Recent trends in social responsibility
3.4 Characteristics of social responsibility
3.5 The state and social responsibility
Under 4, the sub-clauses are:
4.1General
4.2 Accountability
4.3 Transparency
4.4 Ethical behaviour
4.5 Respect for stakeholder interests
4.6 Respect for the rule of law
4.7 Respect for international norms of behaviour
4.8 Respect for human rights
(Importantly, these are the principles which are likely to be realized through the dynamics of the processes, covered under Clause 5, 6 and 7.)
Under 5, the sub-clauses are:
5.1 General
5.2 Recognizing social responsibility
5.3 Stakeholder identification and engagement
Under 6, the sub-clauses are:
6.1General
6.2 Organizational governance
6.3 Human rights
6.4 Labour practices
6.5 The Environment
6.6 Fair operating practices
6.7 Consumer issues
6.8 Community involvement and development
Under 7, the sub-clauses are:
7.1General
7.2 The relationship of the organization's characteristics to social responsibility
7.3 Understanding the social responsibility of the organization
7.4 Practices for integrating social responsibility throughout the organization
7.5 Communication on social responsibility
7.6 Enhancing credibility regarding social responsibility
7.7 Reviewing and improving the organization's actions and practices related to social responsibility
7.8 Voluntary initiatives on social responsibility
Observation 1
The clause 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 provides an overview of the respective major clause.
Followed by the Introduction, a Table is provided indicating clause title, clause number and description of the clause content.
These two items mentioned above would be an authoritative summary of the clauses, for presenting the standard to top management, without going into details, unless asked for.
3
Core subjects
The topics under clause No.6 are called Core subjects.
4
Issues under core subjects
Under each core subject, a number of ‘issues' have been identified and covered in detail for addressing them.
The total number of issues covered are 36, with distribution as follows:
Core subject: Organizational governance
Issues: Nil
Core subject: Human rights
Issue 1: Due diligence
Issue 2: Human rights risk situations
Issue 3: Avoidance of complicity
Issue 4: Resolving grievances
Issue 5: Discrimination and vulnerable groups
Issue 6: Civil and political rights
Issue 7: Economic, social and cultural rights
Issue 8: Fundamental rights at work
Core subject: Labour Practices
Issue 1: Employment and employment relationships
Issue 2: Conditions of work and social protection
Issue 3: Social dialogue
Issue 4: Health and safety at work
Issue 5: Human development and training in the workplace
Core subject: The environment
Issue 1: Prevention of pollution
Issue 2: Sustainable resource use
Issue 3: Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Issue 4: Protection and restoration of the natural environment
Core subject: Fair operating practices
Issue 1: Anti-corruption
Issue 2: Responsible political involvement
Issue 3: Fair competition
Issue 4: Promoting social responsibility in the sphere of influence
Issue 5: Respect for property rights
Core subject: Consumer issues
Issue 1: Fair marketing, information and contractual practices
Issue 2: Protecting consumers' health and safety
Issue 3: Sustainable consumption
Issue 4: Consumer service, support, and dispute resolution
Issue 5: Consumer data protection and privacy
Issue 6: Access to essential services
Issue 7: Education and awareness
Core subject: Community involvement and development
Issue 1: Community involvement
Issue 2: Education and culture
Issue 3: Employment creation and skills development
Issue 4: Technology development
Issue 5: Wealth and income creation
Issue 6: Health
Issue 7: Social investment
Observation 2 - It may be noticed from the above how comprehensive the Standard is and that how every organization could take up certain issues to address under CSR.
5
Model
Consolidating the above, the Standard is represented in a model and presented as ‘ISO 26000 Overview' at page viii of the Standard. This provides a very good view of the dynamics of the clauses. It is considered worth viewing it, to know how the implemented system would function.
Observation 3
A presentation of the model also would make it convenient for briefly explaining the Standard to the top management as part of a proposal for adoption.
Observation 4
The Standard is about 98 pages with 3500 lines of text. It is considered desirable that a team of, say 7, members study the Standard with one clause assigned to each and a plan of action consolidated for its adoption.
This is a suggestion, because, for one person it may appear a daunting task!
But without fail some one, may be the coordinator, in an organization, may have to read it completely.
Conclusion
The Standard has covered the subject of CSR in an extensive detail and deserves a keen attention by corporate members. Hence this attempt to provide an overview of the Standard.
Sam Anbazhagan
