Social responsibility is a very important issue. Today, organizations around the world and their shareholders are becoming increasingly aware of why social responsibility behavior is necessary and what will benefit them. The aim of social responsibility is to contribute to the sustainable development of organizations.

It is to establish certain criteria that fall upon the organizations for the welfare of the society and the environment. These criteria are required to sustain activities and measure overall performance. This is to a certain extent a reflection of what you need to have healthy eco systems, social equality and good organizational management. As a result, the activities of an organization depend on the soundness of ecosystems in the world. Nowadays, organizations are examined more in this regard.

In the International Social Responsibility Organization (SAI), 1997 SA 8000 Social Responsibility has published its standard. This standard was intended to protect workers' fundamental rights. Later in 2001 this standard was re-considered and considered as the first supplier evaluation standard.

The working group that gave this final form to the SA 8000 standard was based on the International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The working group included academics, various trade unions, employers, human rights and children's rights organizations.

ISO standards are process-based standards that can be applied to both service and manufacturing sectors. However, the SA 8000 standard does not go into more processes. It is more prescriptive and result oriented. It is also more prone to production. SA 8000 standard audits include not only the place of operation, but also the shareholders, employees and other related parties. Even the necessary places outside the working environment can also be visited.

In our country, there are six organizations that establish and implement SA 8000 Social Responsibility standard.

SA 8000 Social Responsibility standard, by 2010 in International Standards Organization (ISO) ISO 26000: 2010 Social Responsibility Management System as published. This standard is the first official document to be agreed upon in terms of social responsibility terms and practices.

ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Management System is applicable not only for the private sector but also for public sector organizations. This system can be established within a wide range of organizations, from civil society organizations to all sizes.

The system has been complementary to social responsibility concepts that support sustainable development. An organization that establishes and implements the ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Management System has prepared its infrastructure for all sustainability activities. More importantly, the organization that adopts this standard increases social and environmental value added and supports sustainable development.

So what does an organization have to do by setting up the ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Management System? The social responsibility performance of the organization will be affected by:

  • The organization will achieve competitive advantage.
  • His dignity will increase.
  • The ability to attract or retain customers will increase.
  • Employees' morals, loyalty and productivity will be increased.
  • The perception of investors, shareholders, sponsors and other financial groups will change.
  • It will develop relationships with other companies, official bodies, media, competitors, customers and other groups.

ISO 26000. Social Responsibility Management Systemsupports other social responsibility movements that are active today. It is not an alternative to any of them.

Partnerships signed for the ISO 26000 standard are as follows:

  • International Labor Organization (ILO)
  • United Nations Global Compact
  • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Several factors have been involved in determining the Social Responsibility Management standard. Especially in developing countries, poor working conditions have reached a level that cannot be ignored. Non-governmental organizations endeavor to improve working conditions, but this was not enough. Increasingly, the savings owners have begun to pay attention to whether they are operating with the sense of social responsibility as well as the profit to be made while making an investment decision. All these were effective in determining the Social Responsibility Management standard.

ISO 26000 standardrather than revealing the demands. Therefore, it is not subject to certification as in other ISO standards. Instead, it explains what social responsibilities are and shows the principles that are necessary to operate effectively. It does not deal with the size of organizations, where they are or what their activities are.