Progress towards developing a generally-agreed definition of how organisations should understand - and respond to - their social responsibilities has taken a small but significant step forward in Bangkok at the 2nd meeting of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Social Responsibility Working Group (SRWG).

Among the over 30 resolutions taken by the meeting, three were crucial to whether the process would move ahead. These were on the content of the so-called "design specification" (what should be contained in the standard); on the negotiation process (how the negotiations would proceed); and on resources (how to ensure the necessary finances to allow for balanced representation from all regions and stakeholder constituencies).

To the surprise and relief of the 400 assembled representatives from industry, government, labour and consumer bodies, and NGOs from around the world - not to forget the assorted national standards bodies, consultants, academics and others who also participated - agreement was reached on these key issues.

Upcoming Ethical Corporation conferences & events:
How to manage Social & Environmental Risk in the mining, oil & gas, steel and other heavy industries
London, 22-23 March 2010 The Responsible Business Summit 2010
Novotel West Hotel, London, 4th – 5th May 2010 The Inaugural Ethical Corporation Awards
Novotel West Hotel, London, Evening of 4th May 2010
The Awards will be held at the Responsible Summit -
on the evening of the first day
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