ISO 26000 and Consumers
CI Congress sub-plenary 6c
- How can ISO 26000 be used by
consumer groups?
Jens Henriksson
Swedish Consumer Expert
ISO 26000 - Guidance on
Social Responsibility
• Initiative by Consumers
• ISO Consumer Policy Committee,
ISO COPOLCO, Trinidad/Tobago
2002
• CI and and several consumer
experts active throughout the work
• Published in November 2010
ISO 26000 Basics
• Guidance standard
• Developed in consensus
• New open process with clearly
defines stakeholder groups
• Standard not to be certified
• Not to be a barrier to trade
ISO 26000
• Twinned leadership ABNT/SIS
• Largest standards activity with
participation, more then 400 attend
some meetings
• 70 nations, balance north-south
• 30 liaison organisations e.g.. CI
• Good gender balance
ISO 26000
Stakeholder Groups
• Consumer
• Government
• Industry
• Labour
• NGO
• Others (Academia, Consultants etc)
The role of ISO 26000
• Practical guidance on implementing
sustainable development
• Sustainability is the overall
objective and SR the tool
• A systematic approach to being a
responsible organisation
• Taking an active approach, not just
following the law
The role of ISO 26000
• Voluntary responsibility in addition
to legal development
• Coordinating and pointing to
already existing international law
by using the ISO global network
• Trying to find a global solution to
global challenges and sometimes
global organisations
The role of ISO 26000
• Intended for all types of
organisations (not only CSR)
• Provides a common understanding
of what constitutes SR
• Including Consumer Rights!!
• Common language for
communication on SR
Content of ISO 26000
• Understanding the concept
• Guiding principles
• Recognizing its role in SR context
and identifying stakeholders
• Core subjects (elements)
• How to implement
• Excellent reference material
ISO 26000 Principles
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Ethical behaviour
• Stakeholder interests
• The rule of law
• International norms of behaviour
• Human rights
ISO 26000 Core subjects
• Organizational governance
• Human rights
• Labour practices
• The environment
• Fair operating practices
• Consumer issues
• Community involvement and
development
ISO 26000 Consumer issues
• The consumer section is vital to the
ISO 26000 document as it is a
fundamental right to be protected
• But also as consumer protection is
core to successful work on SR for
all organisations
• The section is based on The UN
Guidelines for Consumer Protection
ISO 26000 Consumer issues
1. Fair marketing, factual and
unbiased information and fair
contractual practices
2. Protecting consumers' health and
safety
3. Sustainable consumption
cont.
ISO 26000 Consumer issues
4. Consumer service, support, and
complaint and dispute resolution
5. Consumer data protection and
privacy
6. Access to essential services
7. Education and awareness
ISO 26000 - Get started!
• It is a tool both for “saving the
world” and protecting the consumer
• We, the consumer movement, have
a double win using the document
• We were the one asking for it, let’s
use it!
• Start by acting the good example
ISO 26000 - Get started!
• Buy the document (We do not want
to risk copyright infringement…)
• Implement the ISO 26 000 content
in your strategy and management
• Use for lobbying on sustainability
• Use for creating respect for and
developing consumer rights
ISO 26000 - Get started!
• Use the document explaining
governments and business the
importance of consumer
organisations and protection
• Use it, where appropriate, when
approaching bad business
behaviour
• Use the SR elements in your Test
Magazines
ISO 26000 – Get started!
• Challenge other organisations to
use it, not only business
• Public bodies have a huge direct
impact the market, through public
procurement
• When business and public bodies
use it, monitor their work and
reporting
• Publish good and bad examples
ISO 26000 Finally
• It is a positive tool and an
opportunity to be explored
• It is not a substitute to legal
initiatives
• Society can and must move
towards social responsibility both in
the public and private sphere
• Society needs both political and
voluntary initiatives
ISO 26000 Finally
Consumer organisations has the
potential of acting as a catalyst for
the much needed change towards a
sustainable society. Social
responsibility, preferable in line with
the guidance in ISO 26000, gives all
types of organisations guidance and
a common language.
Contact Details
The Swedish Consumers’ Association
Jens Henriksson, International Officer
Box 38001
100 64 Stockholm
Telefon 08-674 43 00
jens.henriksson@sverigeskonsumenter
www.sverigeskonsumenter.se