ISM Principles of Social Responsibility

[ Brochure in Word and PDF ]

Community | Diversity | Environment | Ethics | Financial Responsibility | Human Rights | Safety

Social responsibility is defined as a framework of measurable corporate policies and procedures and resulting behavior designed to benefit the workplace and, by extension, the individual, the organization, and the community in the following areas (in alphabetical order):

Community

Provide support and add value to your communities and those of your supply chain.
Encourage members of your supply chain to add value in their communities.

Diversity

Proactively promote purchasing from, and the development of, socially diverse suppliers.
Encourage diversity within your own organization.
Proactively promote diverse employment practices throughout the supply chain.

Environment

Encourage your own organization and others to be proactive in examining opportunities to be environmentally responsible within their supply chains either "upstream" or "downstream."
Encourage the environmental responsibility of your suppliers.
Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly practices and products throughout your organization.

Ethics

Be aware of ISM's Principles and Standards of Ethical Supply Management Conduct.
Abide by your organization's code of conduct.

Financial Responsibility

Become knowledgeable of, and follow, applicable financial standards and requirements.
Apply sound financial practices and ensure transparency in financial dealings.
Actively promote and practice responsible financial behavior throughout the supply chain.

Human Rights

Treat people with dignity and respect.
Support and respect the protection of international human rights within the organization's sphere of influence.
Encourage your organization and its supply chains to avoid complicity in human or employment rights abuses.

Safety

Promote a safe environment for each employee in your organization and supply chain. (Each organization is responsible for defining "safe" within its organization.)
Support the continuous development and diffusion of safety practices throughout your organization and the supply chain.