In a bold move, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) – traditionally seen as the staid preserve of whitecoated technicians and tick-box auditors – has taken on the challenge of developing a global standard that addresses all aspects of social responsibility.

Building on their success in developing international management standards, such as ISO 9000 and ISO 14001, the Genevabased standards body is currently developing a global guidance standard that covers such issues as human rights, labour practices, environmental management, climate change, organisational governance and community development – in essence all things to do with ‘sustainable development’.