ISO Launches Social Responsibility Web Site

The International Organization for Standardization has launched a Web site to support the International Conference on Social Responsibility to be held on June 21 and 22 in Stockholm, Sweden.

As well as addressing the practical aspects of the conference--including online registration and the program--the site includes the report prepared by the ISO advisory group on social responsibility. The social responsibility report reviews initiatives and identifies issues that should be taken into account by ISO. In addition, the site contains the advisory group’s recommendations to ISO.

One of the group’s key recommendations is that ISO should only proceed with a guidance document in the area of social responsibility under specific conditions. All interested parties--including those unable to participate directly in the conference--are encouraged to submit comments and recommendations via the Web site.

The report, recommendations from the advisory group and feedback from the conference and Web site will assist ISO in deciding whether or not to propose the development of international standards or other ISO tools addressing the social responsibility of organizations. Any proposal would be subject to a vote by all ISO members.

Participation in the conference--hosted by the Swedish Standards Institute--is open to delegations from the national standards institutes that comprise ISO’s membership. In addition, ISO has invited 40 international organizations representing stakeholders in such categories as government, industry, labor and consumers, nongovernmental organizations, and organizations with social responsibility programs.

Speakers at the conference include representatives of the UN Global Compact, the International Chambers of Commerce, Consumers International, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

ISO established its advisory group on social responsibility in early 2003. The group comprises representatives from around the world. It’s chaired by Daniel Gagnier, senior vice president of external and corporate affairs at Alcan Inc.

Visit ISO’s social responsibility Web site at www.iso.org/sr.

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