Fuchs und Consorten Unternehmensberatung GmbH

19.12.2011

Common values in a globalised world

We all know that corporate social responsibility can be interpreted differently against various cultural backgrounds. Thankfully, this concept was formalised through the ISO 26000 standard at the start of 2011. The standard provides answers to questions concerning both industrialised and emerging countries: is a maximum of twelve hours per working day a human right, or should it be limited to eight?

The ISO 26000 standard still seems to be widely unrecognised. Experts, however, have identified it as a highly valuable standard in its ability to establish a globally recognised directive on social responsibility. We're asking: can an ISO standard generate enough steam to establish a unified worldwide standard for ethical integrity, in the broadest sense of the word? We think so. But it will require a great deal of time and commitment, in particular from globally active companies.

The ISO 26000 deals with seven main issues:

• Organisational management

• Human rights

• Working practices

• The environment

• Fair operating and business practices

• Consumer concerns

• Corporate involvement and development

These issues were put on the table and gradually developed over the course of six years by delegates from 90 countries and representatives from 40 organisations.

Auditor and Attorney Karl-Christian Bay asserts in his book 'ISO 26000 in der Praxis' that this norm can be equally applied to all enterprises, from companies and NGOs (non-governmental organisation) to public authorities and trade unions. But up until now, the United Nations' Global Compact initiative has only addressed companies. Furthermore, the ISO 26000 standard could be particularly useful for globally active companies, if they could help define approved standards with suppliers and working conditions in the global supply chain.

The fact that a consensus has finally been reached on what social responsibility means is, for Josef Wieland, an "enormous step in the right direction". Josef Wieland is a Professor at the Constance Institute for Intercultural Management, Values and Communication.

A more indirect benefit is the fact that the standard can serve as an important reference point for companies when fulfilling their reporting duties.

With that said, we recommend you take a closer look at this standard. We've noticed that many of our clients have already implemented more than 80% of the policies outlined in the standard as part of their internal compliance or corporate governance practices. Implementing the ISO 26000 standard from an independent authority generates confidence in your organisation both internally and externally and therefore adds additional value for many companies.

Back