ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
ISO is the world's largest developer and publisher of International Standards.
ISO is anon-governmental organization that forms a bridge between the public and private sectors. ISO develops many standards that are internationally recognized like ISO 9001, ISO 1400 etc. By ensuring that the organization process and plants are aligned with these standards and achieve the benchmark to achieve the certification of these standards, the organization can be assured that their activities are damaging the society in least possible manner.
Understanding ISO-1400
ISO 14000 is a series of international standards on environmental management. It provides a framework for the development of an environmental management system and the supporting audit programme. Let us have a look at one example from the ISO-1400 series.
Example:
ISO 14001 is the corner stone standard of the ISO 14000 series. It specifies a framework of control for an Environmental Management System against which an organization can be certified by a third party.
AA1000 Assurance Standard:
The AA1000 Assurance Standard is a process-based standard that guides the provision of assurance of sustainability (covering social, environmental and economic) reports. It can also inform reporting organisations and users of sustainability reports who wish to query and judge reporting quality and associated assurance.
The core of the AA1000 Assurance Standard includes:
(a) Three principles (materiality, completeness, and responsiveness)
(b) The core elements of the public assurance statement, and
(c) Requirements of the assurance provider in relation to their independence and competencies.
AA1000 Assurance Standard supports assurance of sustainability reports based on formats and criteria established by the reporting organization, or based on reporting standards. AA1000 Assurance Standard is specifically designed to support assurance of reports based on the GRI Guidelines. In particular, it allows for limited scope reporting, but requires the assurance provider to comment on these limitations where there is evidence that the report omits information material to stakeholder interests and decision-making.
Global Compact:
Global Compact (GC) is a United Nations Initiative that was launched in July 2000. It is based on ten principles in the areas of:
- Human Rights
- Labor
- Environment
- Anti-corruption
Ant organization be it Corporate or NGO can participate voluntarily in this initiative.
Benefits of participating in Global Compact
Demonstrating leadership by advancing responsible corporate citizenship
Managing risks by taking a proactive stance on critical issues