ISO 26000 Checklist Template | Editable & Free Download

ISO 26000 checklist

About the ISO 26000 checklist

Managing corporate social responsibility across multiple departments and locations can easily lead to scattered data and inconsistent reporting. If you’re looking to align your operations with recognized global standards, an ISO 26000 checklist helps you take stock of where you stand—and where you need to go. Use this customizable template to evaluate your organization’s practices around human rights, labor, environment, and governance.

Why you should use the ISO 26000 checklist

This ISO 26000 checklist helps you translate big-picture CSR goals into concrete, trackable actions. Instead of relying on vague commitments or messy documentation, you can use a checklist to get a systematic overview of how well your organization meets ISO standards.

It offers you a consistent, repeatable method for evaluation—whether you’re benchmarking performance, preparing for audits, or just starting to build your CSR framework. You save time, avoid gaps, and keep everyone on the same page.

With this checklist, you can identify strengths and address weak spots. You can also plan improvements across areas like labor practices, environmental efforts, and fair operating procedures. It’s a practical tool for making CSR efforts measurable and easier to act on.

A step-by-step guide to using the ISO 26000 checklist

ISO 26000 covers broad, complex topics, from human rights to fair operating practices, but you can make compliance efficient. This step-by-step approach helps you integrate the template into your workflow:

Customize the checklist to fit your operations. Start by reviewing and editing the template directly in the Lumiform app. You can adapt questions to reflect your industry, region, or organizational policies. Add, remove, or reword items to better suit your structure and compliance goals.
Assign the checklist to a responsible team member. Whether you’re in sustainability, compliance, or general operations, assign the full checklist to one person who will complete the review. While others can view results later, this creates clear accountability during the assessment.
Conduct the assessment regularly on mobile or desktop. The checklist is optimized for mobile use, so field staff or managers can work through it on-site. Review one section at a time, documenting current practices, gaps, and notes as you go using text, photos, or signatures.
Use action tasks to address gaps. For any “no” responses, you can immediately assign follow-up tasks directly within the app. This way, you can turn insights into action and close compliance gaps faster.
Track progress and generate reports. Once the checklist is complete, use Lumiform’s analytics to identify trends, share insights with stakeholders, and inform your next CSR strategy update. Over time, this gives you a measurable path to better social and environmental performance.

Download Lumiform’s ISO 26000 checklist for improved CSR evaluations

Conduct your next assessment with a template built to support detailed, consistent evaluations. It’s easy to use and fully customizable to fit your internal standards, audit needs, or compliance goals. Assign it to your team, run assessments on-site, and stay on top of performance across key areas.

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Preview of the template

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Organizational Governance

Does the organization have a decision-making process that considers the impact of its decisions and activities on society and the environment?

Does the organization have a system in place to ensure accountability for its impacts on society, the economy and the environment?

Does the organization have a transparent and ethical behavior?

Does the organization respect the rule of law?

Does the organization respect international norms of behavior?

Does the organization respect human rights?

Human Rights

Does the organization avoid infringing on the human rights of others and address adverse human rights impacts with which it is involved?

Does the organization have a policy commitment to respect human rights?

Does the organization have a due diligence process to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how it addresses its impacts on human rights?

Does the organization provide for or cooperate in the remediation of adverse human rights impacts that it has caused or contributed to?

Does the organization respect the principles of internationally recognized human rights when dealing with indigenous people?

Does the organization respect freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining?

Does the organization eliminate all forms of forced or compulsory labor?

Does the organization effectively abolish child labor?

Does the organization eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation?

Labor Practices

Does the organization recognize and respect the fundamental principles and rights at work?

Does the organization provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment?

Does the organization provide access to training and development opportunities for its employees?

Does the organization promote the social dialogue on labor issues?

Does the organization respect the work-life balance of its employees?

The Environment

Does the organization take a precautionary approach to environmental challenges?

Does the organization undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility?

Does the organization encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies?

Does the organization have an environmental management system in place?

Does the organization monitor and record its environmental performance?

Does the organization have a plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions?

Does the organization have a waste management plan in place?

Does the organization have a plan to reduce its water consumption?

Does the organization have a plan to minimize its impact on biodiversity?

Fair Operating Practices

Does the organization have a policy against corruption?

Does the organization have a policy against anti-competitive behavior?

Does the organization have a responsible political involvement policy?

Does the organization have a fair competition policy?

Does the organization have a responsible supply chain management policy?

Does the organization respect property rights?

Consumer Issues

Does the organization have a policy to provide consumers with accurate, verifiable and truthful information about its products and services?

Does the organization have a policy to protect consumer privacy?

Does the organization have a policy to provide consumers with accessible, understandable and culturally appropriate information?

Does the organization have a policy to provide consumers with a fair, accessible and responsive mechanism to address complaints and disputes?

Does the organization have a policy to promote sustainable consumption?

Does the organization have a policy to provide products and services that are safe and do not pose undue risk to health and safety?

Community Involvement and Development

Does the organization engage with the community to understand its needs and concerns?

Does the organization have a policy to contribute to community development?

Does the organization have a policy to create employment opportunities and develop skills in the community?

Does the organization have a policy to promote technology development and access?

Does the organization have a policy to promote wealth and income creation?

Does the organization have a policy to invest in social development initiatives?

Frequently asked questions

What does ISO 26000 actually cover beyond sustainability?

ISO 26000 goes far beyond environmental efforts. It’s about how an organization acts responsibly across seven core areas, including labor practices, fair operating practices, community involvement, and even consumer issues. With this framework, businesses can think holistically about their social footprint. For example, how you advertise products or engage with local communities also falls under its scope.

Is ISO 26000 a certifiable standard?

No, ISO 26000 isn’t designed for certification like ISO 9001 or ISO 14001. Instead, it’s a guidance standard—think of it as a framework to evaluate and improve your policies, not a checklist to earn a stamp. Companies use it voluntarily to guide strategy and report on their social responsibility in an organized, transparent way.

What kind of teams usually work with ISO 26000 in a company?

It’s often led by CSR, ESG, or sustainability managers, but it doesn’t stop there. Procurement teams look at supplier responsibility, HR focuses on labor and diversity, and even marketing gets involved when it comes to ethical communication. It’s a cross-functional effort that works best when different departments stay aligned.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.