ISO 26000

In today’s business landscape, social responsibility is key to long-term success. ISO 26000 provides clear guidance on how organizations can operate ethically, transparently, and sustainably. Unlike certifiable standards, ISO 26000 is a voluntary framework that helps organizations integrate social responsibility into their values and practices. It covers key areas like human rights, labor practices, environmental care, fair business conduct, consumer rights, and community involvement. By aligning with ISO 26000, organizations show a commitment to ethical behavior, stakeholder trust, and sustainable growth—while contributing to global goals like the UN SDGs. Whether you're enhancing CSR initiatives or building a responsible brand, ISO 26000 offers the roadmap to doing business with integrity and purpose.

65% Cost Reduction

60% Sustainability

80%

Customer Attraction

60%

Increase Your Competitive Edge

What is ISO 26000?

ISO 26000 is an international standard that provides guidance on social responsibility for organizations. Unlike many ISO standards, it is not for certification instead, it helps businesses and other organizations act ethically and contribute to sustainable development.

Key facts about ISO 26000:

Purpose: Offers guidance on integrating social responsibility (SR) into values, strategies, and operations.

Applies to: All types of organizations—private, public, NGOs, regardless of size or location.

Non-certifiable: It’s a guidance standard, not a set of requirements, so organizations cannot be "ISO 26000 certified."

Main topics covered:

  1. Human rights
  2. Labor practices
  3. Environmental responsibility
  4. Fair operating practices
  5. Consumer issues
  6. Community involvement and development
  7. Organizational governance


Why is ISO 26000 important?

1. Rising Expectations

Customers, employees, investors, and communities now expect organizations to go beyond profit and demonstrate social and environmental responsibility.

2. Global Consistency

ISO 26000 provides a globally recognized framework for Social Responsibility (SR), helping organizations align with international best practices.

3. Broad, Practical Guidance

It covers a wide range of areas—like human rights, labor, environment, and governance—making it a comprehensive guide for responsible behavior in any industry or sector.

4. Supports Sustainable Growth

By promoting transparency, ethical behavior, and stakeholder engagement, ISO 26000 helps build long-term trust and resilience—key to business sustainability.

5. Non-Certifiable but Impactful

Because it's not a certification, ISO 26000 encourages organizations to genuinely embed SR into their culture, not just tick boxes for compliance.

What are the benefits of ISO 26000?

✅ Enhances Reputation

Demonstrates your commitment to ethical practices and social responsibility—building trust with customers, employees, investors, and the public.

✅ Supports Sustainable Development

Aligns your operations with global sustainability goals (like the UN Sustainable Development Goals), contributing positively to society and the environment.

✅ Improves Stakeholder Relationships

Encourages better engagement with employees, communities, regulators, and suppliers by addressing their concerns transparently.

✅ Strengthens Risk Management

Helps identify and reduce social, environmental, and ethical risks that could harm your brand or operations.

✅ Boosts Employee Morale and Retention

Employees are more likely to stay with and perform well in organizations that uphold values of fairness, safety, and community involvement.

✅ Drives Competitive Advantage

Sets your organization apart from competitors by showing leadership in corporate responsibility—especially important for attracting conscious consumers and partners.

✅ Guides Strategic Decision-Making

Provides a clear framework to embed responsibility and accountability into governance, strategy, and daily operations.

What kind of businesses can benefit from ISO 26000?

🔹 Builds Brand Reputation

Adopting ISO 26000 shows your business is committed to ethical and responsible practices, boosting your brand image and public trust.

🔹 Attracts Customers and Investors

Consumers and investors increasingly prefer to engage with businesses that care about social and environmental impact.

🔹 Improves Market Competitiveness

Demonstrating strong social responsibility can differentiate your business in a crowded market and open doors to new opportunities.

🔹 Enhances Stakeholder Trust

Being transparent and socially responsible strengthens relationships with employees, suppliers, regulators, and communities.

🔹 Supports Long-Term Growth

Responsible practices lead to better risk management, reduced conflicts, and more sustainable business models—driving long-term profitability.

🔹 Boosts Employee Engagement

Employees are more motivated and loyal in companies that prioritize fairness, well-being, and purpose.

🔹 Aligns with Global Standards

Helps your business align with global frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), improving international credibility.

Top Tips on making ISO 9001 effective for you.

#1

Top management commitment while practicing and accomplishing the standard is the key to success.

#2

Keeping staff informed about the ongoing practices, a well-communicated plan would increase the motivation and zeal of working in them.

#3

Making sure that the various departments of the organization work as a team for the benefit of the organization and customers as well.

#4

Review systems, policies, processes, and procedures for a smooth working of QMS.

#5

Speaking to customers & suppliers while getting feedback & working on improvements.

#6

Training staff carrying out the internal audits with the opportunity for improvement.

#7

Celebrate your achievement and use the QualityAsia Assurance Mark on your literature, promotional material, and website.

#8

Ensure continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and updating your quality management practices.

#9

Promote a culture of quality by encouraging innovation, accountability, and employee involvement at every level of the organization.

Why QualityAsia?

QualityAsia always vanguard in the auditing and governing of internationally acclaimed standards practices. At QualityAsia, we focus on driving the success of our clients through creating excellence with our trained professional auditors. The content of our service provision, comply with international certification rules defined by the accreditation bodies without burning a hole in your pocket. We will take you through the journey of audits with our best kept audit practices, viz.:

Initial Certification – Stage 1 (Preparatory Phase)
  • Thorough documented information review.
  • Exchange of information with staff through online or onsite presence.
  • Identification of key performances, processes & objectives as per the standard requisites.
  • Analysis of facilities, infrastructure, systems and processes in regard with the requested certification scope with a resource allocation review.

Initial Certification – Stage 2 (On-site Audit)
  • Measurement, reporting & reviewing the performances against key performances objectives.
  • Reviewing the suitability of the system meeting the legal, regulatory & contractual requirements.
  • Operational control of processes, internal audits & management reviews while understanding the responsibilities for the policies.
  • Conclusion based on prescriptive requirements, policy, performance objectives, staff skill, operations, procedures, internal audits, etc.


    Surveillance & Certification Renewal

    Drawing out the scrutiny on various aspects of the previously done audits on effectiveness while reviewing the various processes and control of the operations in the QMS and finally going for the recertification.