Corporate social responsibility in the EU
SUMMARY OF:
Making Europe a pole of excellence on corporate social responsibility — COM(2006) 136 final
SUMMARY
WHAT DOES THIS COMMUNICATION DO?
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It sets priorities and measures on corporate social responsibility* (CSR) matters in order to better use companies’ potential in contributing to sustainable development and the objectives of the strategy for growth and development.
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In doing so it benefits companies, the EU economy and society as a whole.
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KEY POINTS
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The development of CSR practice involves a wide range of actors (for example trade unions, investors, consumers, and non-governmental organisations).
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To promote CSR, the European Commission focuses on:
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It also makes use of respected international benchmarks, such as:
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Progress has been made in the area of CSR thanks to the policy pursued by the European Commission. A 2011 communication outlines the modern concept of CSR as defined by the Commission and the actions to be pursued in this area over the 2011-2014 period.
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The EU strategy on CSR includes:
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To evaluate the CSR strategy, the Commission launched a public consultation on CSR 2011-2014. This sought to identify achievements, shortcomings and future challenges.
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BACKGROUND
Since the publication of its 2001 Green Paper on corporate social responsibility, the European Commission has played a pioneering role in the development of public policy in favour of CSR.
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KEY TERM
* Corporate social responsibility (CSR): a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with stakeholders on a voluntary basis. Although CSR should be company led, governments can play a supporting role through policy measures and regulations.
ACT
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee — Implementing the partnership for growth and jobs: making Europe a pole of excellence on corporate social responsibility (COM(2006) 136 final, 22.3.2006)
RELATED ACTS
Commission staff working document on implementing the UN guiding principles on business and human rights — State of play (SWD(2015) 144 final, 14.7.2015)
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — A renewed EU strategy 2011-14 for corporate social responsibility (COM(2011) 681 final, 25.10.2011)
Public consultation on corporate social responsibility, 2014
Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market (OJ L 295, 12.11.2010, pp. 23-34)
Directive 2014/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups (OJ L 330, 15.11.2014, pp. 1-9)
last update 09.11.2015