ISO 26000

The International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) has developed an international guiding standard for organisations’ social responsibility, ISO 26000.

ISO 26000 applies to all types of firms and organisations, in both developing and industrialised countries. It contains guidelines and recommendations for how firms and organisations should exercise their social responsibility, and covers topics such as corporate governance, human rights, labour standards, the environment, consumer issues and participation by local communities.

The standard is consistent with other existing ISO standards, and its normative content is drawn from relevant international declarations, agreements and conventions developed by the UN and UN agencies, including the ILO.

The use of ISO 26000 by companies and organisations is voluntary.

Norway has participated actively in the development of ISO 26000.