The United Nations Global Compact Office recently agreed to cooperate with the International Organization for Standardization’s effort to develop ISO 26000, which pertains to social responsibility.

ISO has emphasized that ISO 26000 will complement existing public and private sector initiatives, including declarations and conventions of the United Nations and its constituent organizations. In line with this cooperative approach, an agreement between the UNGCO and ISO will help ensure consistency between ISO 26000 and the UN’s 10 Global Compact principles, which address human rights, labor, the environment and corruption.

In excess of 3,700 companies in more than 100 countries are working with the ISO committee that is formally developing ISO 26000, targeted for release in the first quarter of 2009.

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