The report, discussing trade barriers to meeting the International Organization Standardization 26000, was released in anticipation of the standards set to be unveiled by the end of 2010. The ISO 26000 is expected to cover the areas of management structure, human rights, labour practices, environment and fair trade.

The Chamber of Commerce highlighted that only 4.9 percent of the top 100 Korean companies are equipped to meet the ISO standards. According to the report:

• 36.1 percent of the companies stated they are "somewhat" equipped
• another 36.1 percent stated they have no tools and are instead following the industry trend by monitoring the moves of their competitors.
• 21.3 percent said they are "practically unequipped"
• 1.6 percent expressed "no interest."

The Chamber of Commerce stated,"Although the ISO 26000 would be like a guideline, it can eventually pose as a trade barrier for our companies... The international standards will not only be applicable to companies, but also the government, civic groups, labor groups and research institutions; therefore, discussions over the roles and responsibilities are necessary between the relevant bodies or personnel."

Experts say the need for setting global CSR standards have heightened in the past decade, as organizations have been feeling a greater need to address the principles of CSR and the tools to define and implement them.