12
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[Risk assessment and peer review are important tools in the application of this principle. 653
As with sustainable development see Clause 5.6, the precautionary approach calls for prudent 654
assumptions and actions. Measures based on unsubstantiated assumptions of future harm, or with 655
immediate negative consequences outweighing future benefits, would not fall within the precautionary 656
approach.] 657
5.9 Principle of respect for fundamental human rights
658 An organization should accept its duty to implement practices and policies that reflect the aspirations set
659 out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [, and publications from various international bodies].
660 [Instances may arise where the national or regional law or regulations under which an organization
661 operates inhibit the implementation of practices and policies that reflect one or more provisions of the
662 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments dealing with human rights.]
663
5.10 Principle of respect for diversity 664
An organization should be willing to employ people without discrimination on grounds of race, colour, creed, 665
age, gender or political persuasion, and to cultivate a positive approach to diversity as a factor for change. 666
It should be recognized that organizations operate in differing societal, environmental, legal and economic 667
conditions and that among organizations there are differing characteristics and cultures. 668
Lack of linguistic ability, necessary experience, training or academic qualification, physical disability, or 669
other characteristics reasonably related to performance of job requirements is not inconsistent with the 670
principles of respect for diversity. 671
Respect for diversity assumes compliance with child labour laws and permits the non-discriminatory 672
enforcement of permissible mandatory retirement policies.] 673
6 [Fundamental subjects for social responsibility] [Guidance on social
674
responsibility core issues]
675
6.1 General
676 To be socially responsible, an organization should consider the following core issues:
677
Organizational governance; 678
Human rights;
679
Labour practices; 680
The environment;
681
Fair operating practices; 682
Consumer issues; and
683
Social development. 684
685 Each of these core issues includes a range of issues that are discussed in this clause.
686 Dealing with these issues should be based on the principles of social responsibility See Clause 5.
687 Many of the issues are interrelated. In implementing actions related to social responsibility see Clause 7,
688 an organization, in awareness of the expectations of its stakeholders, should identify the relevance of the
689 issues. Relevance will be affected by the nature of the organization, its location, activities and other factors.
690
© ISO 2007 - all rights reserved
13 An organization should address material issues. A material issue is one that would significantly influence
691 the assessments and decisions of an organization andor its stakeholders. An organization should assess
692 why, how and when an issue is material.
693 There is no pre-determined order in which an organization should address the issues; this will vary with the
694 organization and its strategy. An organization should look at the issues holistically, that is, consider the
695 whole system rather than just concentrate on individual components, and understand how these issues
696 relate to and influence each other. When working with each of the seven core issues, an organization
697 should consider the ramifications of its activities throughout its supply chain and take the initiative in
698 addressing them. It should do so in a manner that does not create adverse impacts on its supply chain
699 andor the life cycle of its productsservices.
700
Figure 1 — [Core issues][Fundamental subjects] at a glance 701
702
6.2 Organizational governance
