The Responsible Business Standard is launched

The Responsible Business Standard, which aims to give small to medium sized enterprises a welcome advantage in securing procurement and government contacts, has been launched.

The industry standard also aims to lead SMEs towards a more socially responsible business.

The Responsible Business Standard has been specifically developed for SMEs to encompass a range of attributes businesses need to aspire to in the changing economy.

It is quite different to any existing forms of certification such as an ISO although, as this new standard is much broader, can either sit neatly beside them or used as a stepping stone towards them.

The nationally recognised Standard has been designed to be both affordable and attainable.

The Standard is available at three progressive levels of bronze, silver and gold. A Certified ORB Consultant conducts the audit which covers a wide remit looking at everything from best practice and management systems to social and environmental compliance.

Jill Poet, Managing Director of The Organisation for Responsible Businesses (ORB) said: "We developed The Responsible Business Standard because there wasn't anything that is affordable, realistic and of value for the majority of SMEs for whom ISO accreditation can often involve too much time and too much money."

"It can also be daunting for SMEs to go down the ISO route and yet the lack of appropriate certification has often meant businesses have been unable to obtain valuable contracts."

Further information:
The Responsible Business Standard