ISO 26000 is an international standard providing guidance on corporate social responsibility (CSR). It serves as a framework for organizations to identify, integrate, and implement socially responsible practices into all areas of their operations and processes.

 

About the Standard

ISO 26000 outlines international recommendations to help organizations of all sizes and sectors adopt socially responsible practices. This standard assists in formulating a long-term CSR strategy that covers a wide range of issues, from business practices to environmental policies and sustainable community development.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a key factor in measuring a company's performance across all sectors. CSR involves a company’s legal and voluntary obligations to consider the impact of its operations on the environment and society while implementing strategies for continuous improvement, fostering ethical values, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

 

Benefits of ISO 26000 Certification

• Develop a tailored CSR strategy for your organization.

• Adapt this strategy to function within different legal, cultural, and political environments.

• Manage the specific social and environmental issues relevant to your organization.

• Engage employees, communities, and business partners in your CSR strategy.

• Build trust and credibility as a socially responsible organization.

• Enhance competitiveness by demonstrating ethical and responsible business practices.

 

Requirements for ISO 26000 Certification

• The organization must be legally established, with a valid business license or legal entity.

• Commitment to applying the latest version of the ISO 26000 standard.

• A documented and reliable management system.

• Staff training to fully understand and apply the ISO 26000 requirements.

• The organization must have the ability to correct mistakes, prevent their recurrence, and identify root causes through internal audit teams.

• The organization must successfully complete an external audit with no major non-conformities, leading to certification.

• The organization must submit a certification application to an accredited and internationally recognized certification body.

 

Organizations Interested in ISO 26000

ISO 26000 serves as a guide rather than a certification that can be obtained directly. It provides a framework for organizations to understand their social responsibilities and improve their business practices ethically and responsibly.

Organizations likely to adopt ISO 26000 principles include:

1. Private companies: Those seeking to enhance their social and environmental performance and integrate CSR principles into their operations.

2. Government organizations: Agencies promoting responsible social practices within the public sector and encouraging them in the private sector.

3. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Advocating for corporate responsibility and encouraging businesses to act sustainably.

4. Civil society and consumers: Individuals interested in how companies impact society and the environment, demanding more transparency and accountability.

5. Investors and financial institutions: Concerned with a company’s performance in CSR and how it manages related risks.

6. Charities, orphanages, and non-profit organizations.

 

Steps to Obtain ISO 26000

1. Employee Training: Staff are trained on ISO 26000 requirements through workshops and seminars to ensure a full understanding of the standard's objectives.

2. Internal Audit Team Qualification: The internal audit team is trained to audit and evaluate the quality management system within the institution.

3. Documentation: Policy, vision, mission, and objectives are documented, along with detailed procedures for the implementation of the quality management system.

4. Final Implementation: Implementing the system according to the documented procedures and conducting internal audits to ensure compliance.

5. External Audit and Certification: Requesting an external audit to assess the quality management system and granting certification if all requirements are met.

 

Requirements for Implementing ISO 26000 to Improve Educational Services Quality

1. Set a Committed Policy and Objectives: Institutions need to set a policy that aligns with ISO 26000 standards, defining specific goals that support this policy.

2. Risk Assessment: Institutions must regularly assess risks associated with delivering educational services, identifying weak points, and developing strategies to address them.

3. Develop Procedures and Mechanisms: Institutions should establish precise procedures and effective mechanisms to manage social responsibility in a consistent and organized manner.

4. Implementation: Apply the policies and procedures efficiently and effectively to manage social responsibility.

5. Legal Compliance: Ensure adherence to all relevant local and international laws related to education and services.

6. Continuous Review: Institutions must conduct regular reviews of the management system to ensure effective performance and continuous improvement.

 

Strong Steps for ISO 26000 Compliance

1. Apply for ISO 26000 Certification.

2. Conduct a two-stage audit of the institution’s management system, reviewed by certified auditors.

3. Hold opening and closing meetings to ensure the accuracy of the audit plan and resolve any organizational difficulties.

4. Prepare a comprehensive report on audit results and submit it to the certification committee for review.

5. Notify the organization of the certification process results and provide final feedback.

6. Implement corrective measures and ensure their effectiveness.

7. Award the certification after confirming that corrective measures have been successfully implemented.

8. Conduct periodic monitoring of the management system by experts to assess the effectiveness of implementation and control.

 

Validity of ISO 26000 Certification

ISO 26000 certification is valid for three years. During this period, periodic audits are conducted to ensure continuous application and effectiveness of the management system. These audits are divided as follows:

1. First-Year Audit: A preliminary review of documents and the organization’s scope to verify compliance with ISO 26000.

2. Second-Year Audit: A periodic audit to ensure the system remains in operation, reviewing organizational processes and assessing improvements.

3. Third-Year Audit: A final audit to confirm ongoing effective application and evaluate corrective actions taken.

After the three-year period, organizations must undergo a new audit cycle to renew their certification, which may involve updating documents and additional costs.

​

Smart Innovations for Professional Consulting (SIFC): The Trusted Partner for ISO Certification Services

​

SIFC is a trusted partner for organizations in their journey to obtain various ISO accreditation and quality certificates. We offer specialized consulting services to help these organizations understand the requirements of the needed certificate and implement the correct practices to achieve it. The company relies on a team of quality management experts accredited by IRCA, who have the experience and knowledge to help government agencies, institutions, factories, banks, and others maximize the benefits of obtaining the certificate. With a constant focus on providing innovative and results-oriented solutions, SIFC ensures the successful completion of all qualification stages, from gap analysis, system development, documentation, error correction, awareness, and training, to internal review, external audit, and obtaining the recognized international certificate and enhancing the organization’s profile in the international accreditation forum.