Message from the President of the Malaysian Association of Standards Users (Standards Users)

Social responsibility is a set of principle of an entity whether it is state, government, corporation, organization or individual which indicates that it has a responsibility to society.

Social responsibility is becoming more and more important to organisations There are several reasons to support the importance of social responsibilities. It is related to the ethical responsibility, and differentiates into difference level of social responsibilities, which is economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary responsibilities. There are six main areas of social responsibility, the employees, providers of finance, consumers, community and environment, government, and other organizations or groups.

To have social responsibilities, the suppliers, business associates, and customers would be more confidence on the organization with whom they deal with. Social responsibility is an exercise that is very important to organizations. The recognition of the importance of social responsibilities can be gauged in part by the extent of government action and legislation on such matters as, for example, employment protection, equal opportunities, companies acts, consumer law, product liability and safeguarding the environment.

Social responsibilities may be viewed in term of organizational stakeholders. That is, those individuals or groups who have an interest in and / or are affected by the activities of the organization or the behaviour of its members. The stakeholders included of employees, providers of finance, consumers, communities and environment, government, and other organizations or groups.

To many people, responsibilities to consumers may be seen as no more than a natural outcome of good business. There are, however, broader social responsibilities including providing good value for money; the safety and durability of products or services; standard of after-sales service; prompt and courteous attention to queries and complaints; long-term satisfaction, for example serviceability, adequate supply of products or services, and spare and replacement parts; fair standards of advertising and trading; full and unambiguous information to potential customers. Increasing concern for social responsibilities to consumers can be seen by the activities of such bodies as the Consumers Association, and the number of television and radio programmed devoted to this subject.

Datuk Marimuthu Nadason P.J.N, A.M.N, A.M.P, P.J.K
President
Malaysian Association of Standards Users