Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to companies taking responsibility for their impact on society. The European Commission believes that CSR is important for the sustainability, competitiveness, and innovation of EU enterprises and the EU economy. It brings benefits for risk management, cost savings, access to capital, customer relationships, and human resource management.
In the spotlight
Commission issues report of implementation of UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights
The UNGPs are the first unanimously endorsed UN framework addressing and aiming to reduce corporate-related human rights abuses. The EU recognises the UNGPs as a framework conducive to responsible business, forming part of its Strategy on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Staff Working Document on Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – State of Play presents the EU's activities in implementing the UNGPs and promoting progress in business and human rights.
What is CSR?
The Commission has defined CSR as the responsibility of enterprises for their impact on society. CSR should be company led. Public authorities can play a supporting role through a smart mix of voluntary policy measures and, where necessary, complementary regulation.
Companies can become socially responsible by:
- following the law;
- integrating social, environmental, ethical, consumer, and human rights concerns into their business strategy and operations.
Why is CSR important?
- In the interest of enterprises - CSR provides important benefits to companies in risk management, cost savings, access to capital, customer relationships, HR management, and their ability to innovate.
- In the interest of the EU economy - CSR makes companies more sustainable and innovative, which contributes to a more sustainable economy.
- In the interests of society - CSR offers a set of values on which we can build a more cohesive society and base the transition to a sustainable economic system.
European Commission Strategy on CSR
The Commission promotes CSR in the EU and encourages enterprises to adhere to international guidelines and principles. The EU’s policy is built on an agenda for action to support this approach. It includes:
- Enhancing the visibility of CSR and disseminating good practices
- Improving and tracking levels of trust in business
- Improving self and co-regulation processes
- Enhancing market rewards for CSR
- Improving company disclosure of social and environmental information
- Further integrating CSR into education, training, and research
- Emphasising the importance of national and sub-national CSR policies
- Better aligning European and global approaches to CSR.
To evaluate the CSR strategy, the Commission launched a Public Consultation on CSR 2011-2014: achievements, shortcomings, and future challenges in 2014.
Multi-stakeholder forum on CSR
The Commission is managing the CSR file in close cooperation with stakeholders. Around key milestones, multi-stakeholder forums are convened with a large number of participants. The last multi-stakeholder forum took place on 3-4 February 2015. Read the Executive Summary of 2015 CSR forum.
On a more regularly basis, the Commission meets with a Coordination Committee (21 kB) to discuss recent developments and receive feedback on its actions.
Guidelines and Principles that the Commission’s CSR strategy is built upon:
- United Nations Global Compact
- United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (1 MB)
- ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility
- International Labour Organization Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises on Social Policy
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises