Social responsibility standard now available from ASQ

The American Society for Quality (ASQ), the world’s largest community of quality resources and experts, now offers ISO 26000: Guidance on Social Responsibility, the new international standard on social responsibility (SR). The standard provides global guidance for both private and public sector organizations of all types. ASQ serves as the administrator for the U.S. Technical Advisory Group of subject matter experts that contributes to the development of the standard. The standard is available at a list price of $193.

The standard focuses on seven key aspects of social responsibility: organizational governance, community involvement and development, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, labor practices and human rights. While ASQ embodies and supports all seven subjects, it initially is concentrating on the areas that will deliver the greatest value to the quality community: organizational governance; environment; and community involvement and development.

"This new international standard is the collaborative work of individuals dedicated to social responsibility," said Paul Borawski, executive director and chief strategic officer, ASQ. "There could not be a more timely opportunity for organizations to join in the SR movement and make their voices heard about the issue of social responsibility. One way is to use this standard to guide them on their SR program implementation."

SR Resources Available
To assist organizations with implementation of the new SR standard, and to help organizations achieve SR business results, ASQ has also developed a portfolio of products and services.

• A new guidebook "ISO 26000 Explained" – available in November/December 2010.
• The 2011 Pathways to Social Responsibility Conference scheduled for June 16-17, 2011, in San Francisco.
• An SR white paper developed in collaboration with Manpower Inc., available November 2010, focusing on the role of the quality professional in SR efforts.
• Case studies profiling effective practices in Pathways to Social Responsibility: Successful Practices for Sustaining the Future.
• A series of Webinars on the topic of SR.

Additional information can be found in the Hot Topics of Quality.

As part of its growing effort to assume a leadership role locally and internationally in the SR movement, ASQ created the Socially Responsible Organization (SRO) initiative, www.TheSRO.org.

Individuals and organizations interested in becoming a part of ASQ’s SRO initiative are encouraged to contact Sarah Tillmar at stillmar@asq.org or visit www.TheSRO.org.

About ASQ
ASQ is a global community of people dedicated to quality who share the ideas and tools that make our world work better. With millions of individual and Enterprise members in 150 countries, ASQ has the reputation and reach to bring together the diverse quality champions who are transforming the world’s corporations, organizations and communities to meet tomorrow’s critical challenges. ASQ is headquartered in Milwaukee, with national service centers in China, India and Mexico. Learn more about ASQ’s members, mission, technologies and training at www.asq.org.