ISO 26000 the New paradigm of Social Standard Integration

Guide 25 was used in the management of laboratories for the accreditation of laboratories around the world before it became the ISO17025:2005, demonstration of competence on laboratories. Laboratories use ISO 17025:2005 to implement a quality system aimed at improving their ability to consistently produce valid results. It is also the basis for accreditation from an accreditation body. This guide formed the basis of the ISO 9000 Quality series and the term was used as Total Quality Management as a long term organisational approach to customer satisfaction. With the introduction of the Safety AS4804:2001 and Environmental Standards ISO14000:1998 brought another level of complexity to the management system structure and changes to the manuals were needed. Companies and Organisations around the world, and their stakeholders, are becoming increasingly aware of the need for and benefits of socially responsible behaviour. The aim of social responsibility is to contribute to being a responsible business in all areas of it’s operations, this has been highlighted in the recent events surrounding Harvey Norman and the use of native rainforest wood in the supply chain, as well as the News of the World invasion of privacy and unethical behaviour of staff. ISO 26000:2010 was a initiative started by Prince Charles, the United Nations, Global Reporting Initiative, St James Ethics Centre and the International Organisation for Standardisation. This standard goes beyond governance and is not intended to be a certification standard, but rather complement the Quality, Safety and Environmental Systems in place , integrate ethics and the factors of people and culture. It is about business that want to do the right thing by it’s staff , community and is a demonstration of the commitment to support the local community that inturn supports the business. The community has the right to know that a company is doing good things in the support of the community or organisations, where people can be completely unaware of these activities and award works to another contractor that is not putting their fair share of commitment to the community. This standard helps even the balance out the expectations of society with respect for the law and obligations to others and raises the spirit in the company apart from a feel good deed. The seven core principles of the standard are: Organisational Governance, Human Rights, Labour Practices,The Environment Fair operating practices, Consumer issues community involvement and development. Companies and organisations need to be accountable for their impacts on society, as well as transparent in it’s decisions and activities with the impact of the environment. Ethical behaviour should be based on the ethics of honesty, equity and integrity that imply the concern for people, animals and stakeholders interests. Respect also plays a role in stake holders interests and the law to comply with all legal requirements as well as international norms of behaviour. Respect for human rights and recognise both their importance and their universality. This standard is a major step forward in the management of a responsible business and communicating this to our customers and the local community. There have been some initiatives by local groups achieving good outcomes for society and reviving the spirit that has been lacking focus over a number of years.