TSE ISO/TS 17033

TSE ISO/TS 17033 addresses the principles and requirements for developing and declaring ethical claims, together with the supporting information used to substantiate them. It provides a common framework when no dedicated standard exists, or when existing standards need to be supplemented. The focus is on presenting ethical claims about a product, process, service or organization in a way that is clear, credible and easier to interpret.

How ethical claims and supporting information relate

In this context, an ethical claim is a statement that attributes a moral or value-based characteristic to a product, process, service or organization. Supporting information is the explanation, evidence or descriptive material that backs up that statement. In general technical terms, separating the claim from its support helps users assess not only what is being asserted, but also the basis on which it is being asserted.

What the document is intended to support

• It is intended for use by all types of organizations.
• It applies to ethical claims relating to products, processes, services and organizations.
• It can serve as a framework where no specific standard has been developed, or as a supplement to existing standards.
• It can also help in developing aspect-specific and sector-specific ethical claim programmes.

As a general framework, this kind of document helps keep the wording, scope, boundaries and substantiation of a claim consistent. That makes ethical declarations less ad hoc and more structured, while still allowing organizations to adapt the principles to their own sector or issue area.