Seplat Energy Plc has achieved the ISO 26000 endorsement on social re- sponsibility. The company described it as a major milestone that reinforces its commit- ment to social responsibility. In a statement lmade available to Ma- jorwaves, Seplat said its ISO 26000 journey started in September 2021 and was concluded in 2023. The two-year journey, the company said, culminated in the recognition of its efforts to operate in a socially re- sponsible way, respecting society, the environment, and the communities in which it operates. Commenting on this feat, the Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Brown, said: “We recognise that social responsibility is integral to our business strategy and essential for long-term success. This recogni- tion has intensified our commitment to create value in the communities where we operate through high-im- pact corporate social initiatives.” Brown commended all the teams and persons within and outside of Seplat Energy that had contributed to the realization of the ISO 26000 feat whilst assuring all stakeholders of the company’s commitment to sustain- ability. “Sustainability is at the heart of our business. The two-year journey to this certification has been well worth it and it shows our unwavering com- mitment to sustainability. For us at Seplat Energy, we will continue to set higher standards and continue to work towards their realization.” According to the statement, unveiling of the ISO 26000 Social Responsibili- ty Guidance Management Self-Dec- laration by Seplat Energy was done in conjunction with International Net- work for Corporate Social Responsi- bility (INCSR), an international team of Corporate Sustainability and Re- sponsibility (CS&R) Consultants and Corporate Human Rights Advocates working to promote best practices in sub-Saharan Africa. Also speaking on the achievement, the President/Lead Consultant, INCSR, Eustace Onuegbu, said: “The ISO 26000 certification is a detailed and meticulous process. It is a stra- tegic management system that cuts across all business functions includ- ing business relationships. It there- fore reflects the true picture of the company and the hard work put in to achieve it. Seplat Energy is only the second company to achieve this cer- tification.” On his part, the Chief Operating Of- ficer, Seplat Energy, Samson Ezug- worie, reiterated that: “This mile- stone is a landmark achievement and launches Seplat Energy into the global league of social responsibility. The achievement is a testament to the way we relate with staff in terms of labour practices; it reflects the way we comply with regulations, environ- mental stewardship and our dealing with stakeholders. Our goal is to sus- tain the milestone.” The Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, said: “Social responsibil- ity is part of out strategy; so, getting endorsed further verifies and vali- dates that we truly live our strategy, givenall the work that the company has put in over the years.” Also commenting, the Managing Di- rector, Seplat West Ltd, Ayodele Ola- tunde, explained that: “ISO 26000 certification is a major milestone that serves as an assurance of Seplat En- ergy’s commitment to sustainable corporate social investment, ac- countability, ethical behaviour, com- pliance, respect for stakeholders, our people, governance and labour prac- tices. Seplat will continue to build on this achievement, engage stakehold- ers and deliver increased value”. ISO 26000 SR Guidance Standard requires organisations to integrate social responsibility and sustainabili- ty core subjects in all operations and business relationships as well as their sphere of influence. The company said it recognises ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Guidance Manage- ment as a reference document on a holistic approach based on the sev- en core subjects in Clause 6 of the Guidance Standard – Organizational Governance, Human Rights, Labour Practices, the Environment, Fair Op- erating Practices, Consumer Issues, and Community Involvement and De- velopment.