June 2015
AA1000AS Working Group Terms of Reference
A. Governance
1. The AA1000AS Steering Committee delegates authority to the AA1000AS Working Group to
guide content development of the new AA1000AS subject to compliance with the AA1000
Standards Board’s determined strategy for the AA1000 Standards Series.
2. Working Group Members will execute a specific task(s) in carrying out the Standards’ strategy.
The Group disbands once their respective tasks are completed.
3. The Working Group shall report to the Steering Committee on all development tasks related to
content of the AA1000AS.
4. When new working group members are required, the Nominations committee shall consider
nominations from any source, including through an open call for nominations. The Nominations
committee shall review nominations and comments and provide recommendations to the AA1000
Standards Board.
5. Nominations shall be approved by the AA1000 Standards Board.
B. Mandate
The mandate of the Working Group shall be developed and determined by the AA1000 Steering
Committee and approved by the Standards Board. The working group shall,
1. Develop the appropriate methodology and submit for approval with the Steering Committee;
2. Execute the task allocated in a given timeframe;
3. Advise on process to consult with Stakeholders;
4. When appropriate, consult for advice and/or technical support of:
- The Standards Board
- The Steering Committee
- External experts
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5. Submit the result of their work to the Steering Committee, to be approved by the Standards
Board.
C. Composition
The Working Group shall be composed as follows:
1. Each Working Group is composed of 4 to 12 members, including a Chairperson (appointed by the
Standards Board) who can be a member of the Standards Board.
2. The AA1000 Secretariat shall be a member the Working Group and will support in drafting and
developing work based on the advice of the Working Group.
3. The Nominations committee shall strive to ensure that members are geographically/culturally
diverse and represent important stakeholder groups, including:
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Business
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Civil society
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Standards organisations
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Assurance providers
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Service providers
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Government
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Investment community
4. Members’ names and affiliations shall appear on the AA website and in each Standard and
Guidance Note to which they have contributed.
D. Working Arrangements
1. The Working Group shall convene as required during the standards development and revision
processes. Physical meetings will be limited as much as possible, with teleconferencing and email
correspondence being the main means of communication. In case of the need for a physical
meeting, expenses will be reimbursed, subject to conditions.
2. Working Group members will not receive remuneration. As being a member is a voluntary
position there should be no expectation that expenses, other than previously approved, will be
covered.
3. Working groups shall be supported by the Secretariat in provisions of materials or resources
required to carry out the mandate. Working Group meetings shall be minuted by the Secretariat.
4. The chair of the Working Group may be required to attend Steering Committee or Standards
Board meetings to provide a communication on progress.
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5. All outputs of the working group (intellectual property, trademarks, whitepapers etc) shall be held
by AccountAbility AA1000 CIC.
E. Sessions & Participation
1. Meeting frequency is defined by each Working Group’s Chairperson, according to task allocation.
2. Time requirements by each member are estimated at six days per year during major revision
processes, but less at other times.
3. Working Group Members commit to attending their respective Working Group meetings in their
entirety. They also commit to contributing in terms of time and effort between meetings.
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