2010-01-08

Why ISO 26000 is a good idea

The ISO 26000 standard is intended to support organizations in their aims for a sustainable
development. The process of developing ISO 26000 involves thousands of experts on social
responsibility issues from all over the world. Designed as a voluntary guidance standard it is
likely to have a major impact on the conditions under which humans live and on the
environment we exist in. The combined strength of the ISO brand, the development processes
and the commitment of the experts in ISOs Working Group on Social Responsibility is the
foundation for the product, the standard ISO 26000. In fact, businesses and other users in both
developing and developed countries are already adapting to the standard in wait for its official
release, and the feedback from the end users is truly positive.

There are some major arguments in favor of moving the process forward to publication of ISO
26000:

Credible process The distribution of the experts in the international working group
displays a balanced participation with regards to stakeholder
category, region and gender. All through the process the
organization and decisions of the working group has been formed
in an inclusive spirit. The high number of experts in the working
group and in national mirror committees is a warranty for the
quality and worldwide relevance of the standard.

Stakeholder consensus
The stakeholder groups in the process were shaped already at the
first meeting in Salvador in January 2005 and have been operating
actively and independently since. This new concept has proved to
be a key element on reaching consensus on the contents and
structure of the standard. At this point in the process the
stakeholders has an agreement on the major parts of ISO 26000.

Mature product The number of comments on the draft standard has declined during
the last rounds of enquiry which is an indicator that the content is
more mature. The working group and the integrated drafting task
force has successfully resolved key topics and reached consensus
on a number of difficult issues. The feedback from end users who
are already using the latest drafts of ISO 26000 is clearly positive
while pointing out that the document gives practical guidance and
is well structured. It is a ready-to-use tool which contributes to
sustainable development.

A positive outcome of the vote on ISO DIS 26000 will keep the project on the current
timetable for publication in the fall of 2010. We have decided to support ISO 26000 because it
is ready and the world needs it - now.

The Swedish Mirror Committee for ISO 26000 consists of the following organizations: Labor: The Swedish Trade Union
Confederation, The Swedish Confederation for Professional Employees NGO: ECPAT Sweden, Fair Trade Center, Sensus,
The Natural Step, The Swedish Fundraising Council Industry: ABB, Atlas Copco, Electrolux, Ericsson, Folksam, IKEA,
KPA Pension, Innventia, Sandvik, Scania, Senab, Swedenergy, Swedish Banker’s Association, Vattenfall Government:
Stockholm County Council, SWEDAC, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, Swedish Rail Administration, The Social
Insurance Agency SSRO: Allies, Direndi, Effort, Goodpoint, Hallvarsson & Halvarsson, Nestor, Njord, Sustainia,
WSP Environmental Consumer: The Swedish Consumers Association, The Swedish Consumer Agency