Fair
Operating
Practices
Under ISO 26000, Fair Operating Practices cover the following:
1. Anti-Corruption
- Companies should be on the guard and vigilant of the fact that corruption
can seep in trying to win a contract.
• The US government passed the US Foreign Practices Act in 1977.
• An Intern-American Convention against Corruption was held in 1977.
• The OECD Anti-bribery Convention was also in 1978.
• The United Nations held the UN Convention against Corruption in 2003.
2. Responsible Political Involvement and Lobbying
- Most Companies aim to demonstrate good faith in formulating and
promoting policy relative to involvement in politics.
• They strived to maintain appropriate relationships both with the
government and politicians in accordance to set policies that should not
mar the reputation and image of the concerned company.
• Normally, a Code of Conduct in their dealings is established for guidance
and reference.
• In terms of political contributions, these companies shy away from
making any contributions to any political party knowing it is prohibited
by law.
• They respond and fully cooperate with courts, police, and tax authorities
when requested to do so.
3. Fair Competition
- Fair Competition Since most corporation is not alone in the market, there
is always a chance that they have to relate to competitors. In doing so,
companies are:
• Care is given not to engage in unreasonable restrictions of competition
and other unfair practices.
• Attention is also given neither to attempt nor cause knowingly to injure or
cast aspersions on the reputation either of a product or competing
company.
• Intellectual rights are respected, as it likewise, endeavor to protect its own
intellectual property rights.
• Adopt appropriate measures when handling confidential business
information of its competitors and uses and manages this information
properly.
4. Promoting social responsibility in the value chain.
- This covers relationship with business partners and guides are as follows:
• Mutual trust and understanding with business partners are observed to
foster health business relationship
• Selection of suppliers from a pool must satisfy set procurement standards
based on fair and reasonable decision and such suppliers are expected to
fulfill their social responsibilities.
• Caution is exercised not to engage in unfair dealings with suppliers and
customers.
• Employees are tasked not to abuse their respective positions by accepting
entertainment, money and goods from business partners, or accept
commissions in relations to business transaction where they are involved.
5. Respect for property rights
Companies will respect intellectual property rights owned by others and will
follow legitimate means and procedures for the acquisition when it seeks to
use such intellectual property.
