© ISO 2007 - all rights reserved
1
Social Responsibility
217
1 Scope
218 This International Standard provides guidance on social responsibility to all types of organizations,
219 regardless of their size or location, on:
220
Identifying principles and issues; 221
Integrating, implementing and promoting socially responsible practices;
222
Identifying and engaging with stakeholders; 223
Communicating commitments and performance; and
224
Contributing to sustainable development. 225
This standard encourages an organization to undertake activities that go beyond legal compliance. 226
It promotes common understanding in the field of social responsibility. It clarifies the relationship between 227
principles of social responsibility and frameworks for organizational governance. 228
It complements other instruments and initiatives relating to social responsibility. 229
The application of this standard may take account of societal, environmental, legal and organizational 230
diversity, as well as differences in economic conditions, provided international norms of behaviour are 231
observed. 232
This standard is not a management system standard and is not intended for conformity assessment or 233
certification purposes. 234
Use of this standard implies neither government endorsement of this standard or other standards, 235
documents or tools referenced in this standard, nor government ratification of any conventions and 236
agreements cited in this standard. 237
2 Normative references
238 This section is for a list of documents, if any, that must be read in conjunction with the standard.
239
Not currently assigned to a Task Group; to be developed later.
240
3 Terms and definitions
241 The following terms and definitions apply to this standard.
242
3.1 243
accountability
244 obligation or willingness of an organization to accept responsibility and explain the reasons, causes, or
245 motives for its actions
246
2
© ISO 2007 - all rights reserved
3.2
247
consumer 248
someone who uses or buys goods or services 249
3.3
250
ethical behaviour 251
behaviour that is considered right or acceptable in a particular society 252
3.4
253
international norms of behaviour 254
standards or patterns that are in conformance with generally accepted principles of international law 255
NOTE International declarations, resolutions and guidelines can also contain relevant principles 256
3.5
257
key stakeholder 258
[individual or group of individuals identified by the organisation whose interests may either significantly 259
affect, or be significantly affected by, an organization 260
NOTE Relevant interests in the context of this International Standard are those related to sustainable 261
development and the welfare of society.] 262
or 263
[individual or group whose interests are significantly affected by an organisation or whose interests in the 264
activities of the organisation are considered to be especially significant for the welfare of society or 265
sustainable development.] 266
3.6
267
organization 268
group of people, working together with a clear purpose, [with or without facilities,] with an arrangement of 269
responsibilities, authorities and relationships; It can be public or private, for profit or not for profit 270
EXAMPLES Academic institution, company, co-operative, credit union, enterprise, governmental or non- 271
governmental organization, charitable foundation, sole trader, trade or consumers’ association 272
3.7 273
organizational governance
274 system by which an organization is directed and managed in pursuit of its specific objectives
275
3.8
276
philanthropy
277 practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions on a voluntary basis
278
© ISO 2007 - all rights reserved
3
3.9
279
product 280
any goods or service 281
[ISO 14025 : 2006] 282
3.10 283
social responsibility
284 responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment,
285 through transparent and ethical behaviour that
286
is consistent with sustainable development and the welfare of society; 287
takes into account the expectations of stakeholders;
288
is in compliance with applicable law and consistent with international norms of behaviour; and 289
is integrated throughout the organization.
290 NOTE Activities include products and services
291
3.12 292
