Quickly Get Your ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification to build a responsible and ethical organisation.

Table of Contents

• What is ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification?
• Key Principles of Quality Management outlined in ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification?
• Key Requirements for obtaining ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification?
• Why Choose ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification?
• ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification Process
• Role of a Professional ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification Consultant

What is ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification?

ISO 26000 CSR certification is a globally recognised benchmark that outlines an organisation’s responsibilities towards society, customers, and the environment as a whole. Published by the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO), ISO 26000 certification provides a clear framework for integrating ethical behaviour, sustainability, and accountability into business practices. 

ISO 26000 certification guides the organisation on how to contribute to the development of society and environmental welfare. ISO 26000 certification combined with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 provides a robust structure and responsible management system for the functioning of the organisation.

What are the Key Principles of Quality Management outlined in ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification?

The following are the key principles of quality management outlined in the ISO 26000 corporate social responsibility certification: 

• Accountability: The organisation is accountable for their actions and policies and their impact on the environment. This principle requires organisations to perform their responsibilities with due diligence and take preventive actions for reducing their carbon footprint. 
• Transparency: Includes transparent communication of decisions, policies, procedures, and guidelines to the employees and shareholders. Organisations should provide clear instructions and timely information to ensure efficiency, credibility, and responsible decision-making. 
• Ethical Behaviour: Requires honesty, fairness, integrity, and respect for the consumer and environment on the part of the organisation. The organisation should look for continuous social improvement and support sustainability and growth. 
• Sustainable Development: Ensuring long-term value creation, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, environmental protection, and social well-being, without compromising the needs of future generations.
• Precautionary Approach: Assessing risk factors carefully and thoroughly and taking corrective actions to prevent any kind of environmental or social damage. 
• Continuous Improvement: Ensuring improvement in actions, policies, and social objectives through regular monitoring, evaluation, feedback, and alignment of operations. Organisations need to develop integrated management systems for a better future and global sustainability. 

What are the Key Requirements for obtaining ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification?

Here are the key requirements for obtaining ISO 26000 CSR certification as established by the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO):

1. Organisational Governance: Organisations must establish a strong, robust, transparent, ethical, and accountable governance system. It includes integrating social responsibility principles with organisations' objectives, ensuring leadership commitment, and clearly defining roles and responsibilities. 

2. Stakeholder Identification and Engagement: The organisation should identify the stakeholders, establish clear and transparent communication with them, and actively engage them. It should establish a communication and feedback mechanism that supports fast decision-making and socially responsible outcomes. 

3. Accountability and Transparency: The organisation must take responsibility for its actions and their consequences that affect the consumer and the environment. Organisations should promote transparent reporting, disclosure policy, and credibility to gain consumers’ trust and build their brand reputation. 

4. Human Rights Due Diligence: The organisation must respect and recognise human rights. It involves thorough knowledge of human rights laws, preventing their violation, identifying related risks, addressing consumer grievances, and ensuring fair treatment and a no-discrimination policy. 

5. Fair Labour Practices: The organisation must ensure a safe working environment for employees, implementation of labour laws, reasonable working hours, and training and development of employees. The organisation must ensure compliance with international labour standards. 

6. Consumer Issues and Protection: Organisations should indulge in practices and activities that lead to consumer safety and protection. It includes product testing, providing accurate information, highlighting side effects, describing the use and purpose of the product, and setting a responsible marketing management system. Organisations should listen to the grievances and problems of the consumer and address them promptly. 

Why Choose ISO 26000 CSR Certification?

ISO 26000 SCR certification reflects that an organisation cherishes ethical values, environmental sustainability, and fair operational practices. It helps the organisation to integrate social welfare into its core principles and objectives, enhancing its brand’s reputation, building shareholders’ trust, and helping the organisation to gain competitive advantages. 

Here are the key reasons why you should choose ISO 26000 CSR certification:

• Enhanced Corporate Reputation: Demonstrates your organisation’s commitment to ethical practices and social responsibility.
• Stronger Stakeholder Trust: Builds confidence among customers, employees, investors, and communities.
• Improved Governance Framework: Encourages transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making.
• Sustainable Business Practices: Helps balance economic growth with social and environmental responsibilities.
• Global Recognition: Aligns your organisation with internationally accepted CSR principles.
• Risk Management: Identifies and mitigates social, environmental, and ethical risks proactively.
• Competitive Advantage: Differentiates your organisation as a responsible and trustworthy brand.
• Better Employee Engagement: Promotes fair labour practices, inclusivity, and a positive workplace culture.
• Community and Social Impact: Strengthens relationships with local communities through responsible involvement and development initiatives.

What is the Process for Obtaining ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification?

Here is the step-by-step process for obtaining ISO 26000 CSR certification:

1. Application Submission

The organisation needs to fill out and submit an application form to obtain the ISO 26000 certification. This application includes basic details like organisation details, legal status, nature of business, location, employee details, and scope and objective of the organisation. 

2. Document Submission 

In the next stage, the organisation is required to submit the document of compliance, including the CSR policy, implementation process, legal compliance records, environmental sustainability plans, and circular of the organisation. 

3. Internal Audit and Review 

The organisation needs to conduct an internal audit to assess the feasibility of the CSR plan. After the audit, the management committee reviews the results, analyses gaps in implementation and takes corrective actions for them. 

4. Certification Audit and On-Site Review

The Certifying Authority conducts an audit and on-site inspection to verify the documents, organisation details, and implementation of the ISO 26000 CSR plan. If any non-conformity is found during the review, necessary changes are suggested by the authority to the organisation. 

5. Certification Decision

After reviewing the documents, conducting an audit, and successfully completing an on-site review, the certifying authority grants the ISO 26000 certification to the organisation. 

6. Surveillance Audit 

The certifying authority conducts a surveillance audit every once or twice a year to ensure compliance and renew the certification. 

Role of a Professional ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility Certification Consultant

A professional ISO 26000 certification consultant plays a crucial role in guiding the organisation throughout the certification process and ensuring a smooth certification journey. The consultant helps the organisation in developing and implementing the CSR policy in the organisation, ensuring ethical practices are followed, documents are maintained, and the organisation complies with all labour, environmental, social, and corporate laws. 

The ISO 26000 certification consultant assists the organisation in meeting international standards, identifying gaps, potential risks, and eliminating them. They save organisations’ time, efforts, and resources. Overall, ISO 26000 certification consultants help the organisation in demonstrating a strong commitment towards CSR and streamline the certification process.