Added Value of ISO 26000
What makes ISO 26000 unique among international standards and frameworks for social responsibility.
ISO 26000 provides guidance on how organizations can operate in a socially responsible way. Its value lies not just in content, but in how it was developed: through a multi-stakeholder process involving experts from more than 90 countries and 40 international organizations, representing industry, government, labour, consumers, NGOs, and research.
A Common Language for Social Responsibility
ISO 26000 provides a globally harmonized set of definitions and concepts, giving organizations everywhere a shared vocabulary for discussing and implementing social responsibility — regardless of industry sector, organization size, or geographical location.
Internationally Agreed Principles
The seven principles of social responsibility in ISO 26000 were agreed upon through an unprecedented consensus process. No other framework for social responsibility reflects such a broad and diverse agreement across all stakeholder categories.
Agreement on SR Issues
The seven core subjects and their 37 issues represent a comprehensive, internationally agreed catalogue of social responsibility topics. This structured approach helps organizations identify relevant issues systematically rather than ad hoc.
Connects with Existing Management Systems
ISO 26000 complements Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001) and Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001). Organizations already using ISO management standards can leverage their existing frameworks and extend them with social responsibility guidance.
Adapts International Frameworks Locally
ISO 26000 translates broad international instruments — such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ILO conventions, and the UN Global Compact — into practical guidance that organizations can apply in their specific context and country.
Supports Priority Setting
The standard helps organizations determine which SR issues are most relevant and significant for their operations and stakeholders, enabling strategic prioritization and efficient allocation of resources.
Practical Implementation Guidelines
Unlike many declarations and frameworks, ISO 26000 provides detailed, practical guidance on how to integrate social responsibility throughout an organization — from governance structures to daily operations, communication, and continuous improvement.
Why Guidance, Not Certification?
ISO 26000 was deliberately designed as a guidance standard — not a management system standard and not intended for certification. This decision reflects the multi-stakeholder consensus that social responsibility should be integrated voluntarily and contextually, rather than measured against a rigid checklist. The focus is on understanding and continuous improvement, not compliance.