ISO 26000: Social responsibility
Organisations around the world – and their stakeholders – are becoming increasingly aware of the need for and benefits of socially responsible behaviour. The objective of social responsibility is to contribute to sustainable development.
Speeki helps companies certify their social programmes according to ISO 26000.
Benefits of ISO 26000 certification
Social responsibility involves an understanding of the broader expectations of society.
A certification that you meet the guidelines set out in ISO 26000 means that you not only have respect for the rule of law but also recognise the importance of key stakeholders, including your community, as part of your business.
Better governance systems
ISO 26000 drives companies to have stronger governance systems by incorporating the principles of social responsibility into decision-making and implementation. These principles are accountability, transparency, ethical behaviour, respect for stakeholder interests, respect for the rule of law, respect for international norms of behaviour and respect for human rights.
Respect for human rights
Recognition and respect for human rights are widely regarded as essential to the rule of law and concepts of social justice and fairness. ISO 26000 shifts some of that responsibility to companies to respect human rights within their sphere of influence.
Improved engagement with the environment
In addition to complying with laws and regulations, a company should assume responsibility for the environmental impacts caused by its activities in rural or urban areas and the broader environment. In recognition of ecological limits, it should improve its own performance and the performance of others within its sphere of influence.
Enhanced reputation through ethics
Fair operating practices concern ethical conduct in a company's dealings along with following ISO 37001 guidelines with other organisations. These include relationships between companies and government agencies, as well as between organisations and their partners, suppliers, contractors, customers, competitors and the associations of which they are members.
ISO 26000: Building a better company and society with Speeki Europe
Strengthen your organisation's socially responsible conduct with a certification from Speeki Europe. Our comprehensive services and compliance management system software help you build a company that meets the ISO 26000 guidelines. Speeki's certification focuses on whether those guidelines are implemented, controlled and improved.
Benefits of partnering with Speeki Europe for an ISO 26000 certification
At Speeki Europe, we are dedicated to assisting organisations in elevating their social responsibility through a review of their programmes and an ISO 26000 certification. Our comprehensive approach and unyielding commitment to excellence empower your business to not only meet but exceed the guidelines in ISO 26000.
Embrace ISO 26000 with the help of Speeki Europe
Speeki Europe, an accredited certification body, guides organisations in mastering social responsibility. We are committed to fortifying social responsibility strategies and ensuring that the ISO 26000, along with ISO 31000 risk management guidelines, are implemented and effective.
Global expertise in ESG and sustainability
Speeki Europe has been an expert in ESG and sustainability for over ten years and is one of the pioneers in governance certifications. Many of our team members are legally qualified to validate compliance and the implementation of the principles of ISO 26000.
Our auditors are experts in ESG and sustainability areas
Our secret weapon is our auditors. They are practical, highly understanding of social risks and excellent communicators. They add significant value to clients on their certification journey. They are our main value proposition for clients selecting Speeki Europe as their certification partner.
Meet an ISO 26000 expert
Pauline leads our assurance and certifications business, including all assurance solutions across Speeki. She has a detail-oriented and practical approach to helping companies prove the value of their ESG efforts to stakeholders through assurance.
Gain a certificate for your social responsibility programme in four steps
Social responsibility is now a mandatory corporate action in light of the growing stakeholder and legal requirements in ESG and sustainability. There is now a standard published by ISO that speeds up the process. Following these guidelines and receiving a certificate of assurance is possible in just four steps.
Secure ISO 26000 certification through a four-step process with Speeki
Choose an ISO 26000 certification body
Selecting an experienced and accredited certification body is crucial. Speeki Europe boasts unrivalled expertise in ESG and sustainability – a key tenet in ISO 26000. With over a decade of experience building ESG-based programmes, we have certified companies globally, reinforcing our status as leaders in the domain.
Grasp the ISO 26000 guidelines
The simplicity of ISO 26000 belies the importance of comprehending the guidelines and knowing how to put them into practice. Speeki Europe, while maintaining an impartial stance, is poised to offer training and practice audits to ensure you are well-acquainted with the ISO 26000 guidelines. We know the guidelines very well and know how to manage audits.
Implement ISO 26000
With insights into ISO 26000, it’s time for you to implement a social responsibility programme that aligns with the guidelines. If your organisation already possesses all or part of a social responsibility (or even CSR, ESG or sustainability) programme, augmenting it to meet ISO 26000 should be a smooth transition.
Validate your compliance with ISO 26000
With a programme in place, you can proceed to verification by Speeki to obtain your ISO 26000 certificate. Speeki will conduct an audit to validate your organisation's compliance with the guidelines. Certification is valid for three years, involving an extensive audit in the first year and follow-up audits in subsequent years to address any changes.
Get ISO 26000 certified
If you are successful in the audit, you will be issued a certificate that your programme meets the ISO 26000 guidelines. This certificate will demonstrate to your stakeholders that your organisation has adopted and implemented the guidelines. It is the ultimate way to prove the value of your efforts and be rewarded for all your hard work in building a social responsibility programme.
Building a better business that is more socially responsible is the aim of ISO 26000
ISO 26000 brings numerous benefits. It establishes a socially responsible business and builds stakeholder trust. By validating your programme, significant value is added by holding you accountable to the high standards of the guidelines.
ISO 26000 insights
Explore our articles about the ISO 26000 social responsibility guidelines
ISO 26000 FAQs
ISO 26000 certification is unique because ISO 26000 is a set of guidelines rather than a mandatory standard. The certification shows that a company has implemented a social responsibility programme according to those guidelines. It demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility.
ISO 26000 outlines guidelines for establishing, implementing and maintaining a social responsibility programme.
The cost of ISO 26000 certification varies depending on factors such as the size of the organisation, the complexity of operations and the certification body. We can get you a quote so you can start budgeting.
ISO 26000 is applied to prevent issues like modern-day slavery, underage workers, gender equality, fair and honest practices, and respect for society. It helps establish policies, procedures and controls for identifying and mitigating each of these risks.
The essential characteristic of social responsibility is the willingness of an organisation to incorporate social and environmental considerations in its decision-making and be accountable for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment.
A fundamental principle of social responsibility is respect for the rule of law and compliance with legally binding obligations. Social responsibility, however, also entails actions beyond legal compliance and recognising obligations to others that are not legally binding.
Standards are of different types. The management system standards are easily certifiable. Other standards, like ISO 26000, are more akin to guidelines. These are certifiable, but in a different way to a management system standard.
ISO 26000 discusses some areas of ethics and anti-bribery, which are covered under ISO 37001. However, it is a high-level discussion and just one of many areas that contribute to the social responsibility of companies.
ISO 26000 is not mandatory but is highly recommended for organisations seeking to establish a robust social responsibility programme. It's a globally recognised set of guidelines that enhances reputation and builds trust.
A company should clearly, accurately and completely disclose to a reasonable and sufficient degree the policies, decisions and activities for which it is responsible, including its known and likely impacts on society and the environment.
ISO 26000 helps companies base their behaviour on standards, guidelines or rules of conduct that are in accordance with accepted principles of right or good conduct in the context of specific situations, even when those situations are challenging.
Absolutely! ISO 26000 is suitable for companies of any size. Small businesses can equally benefit from enhanced reputation, compliance and stakeholder trust by adopting social responsibility.
Yes, ISO 26000 is a global standard for social responsibility and is recognised and respected worldwide.
Choose an accredited certification body with experience in ISO 26000. Evaluate their credentials, expertise and client testimonials. Speeki Europe is a reputable certification body with vast experience.
ISO 26000 certification is maintained through continual improvement, regular internal audits and periodic surveillance audits by the certification body to ensure ongoing compliance.
The timeframe for ISO 26000 certification varies depending on the size and complexity of the company, but it typically takes several months from the initial steps to the final certification.
Without a system, companies are more vulnerable to legal consequences, including fines, penalties, and reputational damage if found in violation of various laws like bribery, workplace issues, modern-day slavery etc.
Implementing ISO 26000 involves top management, compliance officers, legal, HR, finance, procurement and all employees to ensure a comprehensive approach to social responsibility.