Business and organizations do not operate in a vacuum. Their relationship to the society and environment in which they operate is a critical factor in their ability to continue to operate effectively. It is also increasingly being used as a measure of their overall performance. Standard of Social Responsibility (SSR) provides guidance on how businesses and organizations can operate in a socially responsible way. This means acting in an ethical and transparent way that contributes to the health and welfare of society. Organizations around the world, and their stakeholders, are becoming increasingly aware of the need for and benefits of socially responsible behavior. The objective of social responsibility is to contribute to sustainable development.

It also provides guidance to all types of organizations, regardless of their size or location, on:

1. Concepts, terms and definitions related to social responsibility;
2. The background, trends and characteristics of social responsibility;
3. Principles and practices relating to social responsibility;
4. The core subjects and issues of social responsibility;
5. Integrating, implementing and promoting socially responsible behavior throughout the organization and, through its policies and practices, within its sphere of influence;

The SSR is intended to promote common understanding in the field of social responsibility, and to complement other instruments and initiatives for social responsibility, not to replace them. Also, it provides organizations with guidance concerning social responsibility and can be used as part of public policy activities. However, for the purposes of the Marrakech Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO), it is not intended to be interpreted as an “international standard”, “guideline” or “recommendation”, nor is it intended to provide a basis for any presumption or finding that a measure is consistent with WTO obligations. Further, it is not intended to provide a basis for legal actions, complaints, defenses or other claims in any international, domestic or other proceeding, nor is it intended to be cited as evidence of the evolution of customary international law.

Now there is an opportunity to comprehensively evaluate the five years performance of the standard. So all academic and independent scholars are invited to present their research on the following topics:

1. Why is social responsibility important?
2. What benefits can be achieved by implementing ISO 26000?
3. Who can benefit from ISO 26000 and how?
4. What specifically does ISO 26000 contain?
5. How does an organization go about implementing ISO 26000?