The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a consultation here on Monday said the country needs to put its own ideas in developing the new international standard for corporate social responsibility (CSR), known as ISO-26000, which would be implemented from 2010 across the globe.

Instead of waiting for ISO-26000 to be imposed on the country, the concerned should shape the standard through consultation with ISO, considering the country's socio-economic condition, they said.

BSTI, an member of the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) and the lead organisation in Bangladesh for the implementation of ISO-26000 organised the consultation to receive views on social responsibility from sectors like mineral extraction and cement production, agro-industry, fish and foodstuffs, construction, textiles, garments and ceramics, NGOs, universities and government institutions.

The BSTI officials presented the consultation findings at the international discussion on the development of ISO-26000, will be held in Chili in September next.

British High Commission to Bangladesh provided financial support while Reed Consulting Bangladesh Ltd provided technical support to BSTI for organising the conference styled 'National Social Responsibility Stakeholder Consultation on ISO 26000' at BSTI conference room at Tejgaon here.

The conference revealed that the working group of ISO identified seven core issues for CSR in 'ISO 26000', which includes organizational governance, human rights, labour practice, environment, fair operating practice, consumer issues, and contribution to community and society.

Industries secretary Sheikh Enayetullah, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Stephen Evans and Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) President Farooq Sobhan spoke as the special guests.

BSTI Director General M Azmal Hossain made the welcome speech and chairman of Reed consulting Bangladesh Ltd Rodney Reed gave the vote of thanks. Mohiuddin Babar presented the keynote paper on ISO-26000.

Enayetullah said, implementation of corporate social responsibility is difficult to ensure, as there is no rules and regulations to impose it to the business enterprises.

"We need to get involved with ISO-26000 to create confidence among the donor community as well as among the international investors for development the country," he said.

Stephen Evan said the country should be involved and represented, in developing the international standard as it could benefit the country by giving a competitive edge internationally.

"Social responsibility makes smart business sense to respect labour rights, communities and the environment in an age when consumers and buyers expect their goods to have been produced sustainably," he said.

Presently, social responsibility is a vital component for international trade, its no more luxury, he said, adding in the UK, there is a Ministry on CSR.

He said the CSR is not only applicable for the private enterprises also it is a duty on all sector of society including universities, NGOs, the military, government departments and all trade sectors.

Farooq Sobhan said, to promote CSR in Bangladesh is essential for strengthening the corporate governance and increasing the investment flow.

Nearly 170 representatives from different government and private organisations took participate at the consultations.