Corporate social and societal responsibility

Composition of the study group

Administrator in charge: Ms Magdalena Ruda | Assistant: Ms Carlotta Isabella Iapichino

Adopted by the REX Section during its meeting on 16 July 2015.

Related EESC opinions previously adopted:

• EESC opinion of 24.05.2012 on Corporate Social Responsibility
• EESC opinion of 11.07.2013 on Disclosure of non-financial information
• EESC opinion of 14.12.2006 on Corporate Social Responsibility

Related European Parliament's Resolutions:

• European Parliament's resolution of 28.01.2013 on CSR: accountable, transparent and responsible business behaviour and sustainable growth
• European Parliament's resolution of 29.01.2013 on CSR: promoting society's interests and a route to sustainable and inclusive recovery
• European Parliament's resolution of 25.11.2010 on CSR in international trade agreements
• European Parliament's resolution of 26.02.2014 on Promoting development through responsible business practices, including the role of extractive industries in developing countries

EU initiatives and instruments in the area of CSR:

• European Commission CSR strategy (DG GROW website)
• CSR website of DG EMPL, it includes 2014 Compendium on National Public CSR Policies of the EU Member States
• Commission Communication "A renewed EU strategy 2011-14 for Corporate Social Responsibility"
• Report with results of public consultations on CSR (published in December 2014)
• Non-financial reporting (website of the Commission) with reference to the adoption of the Directive by the European Parliament on 15^th April 2014
• Public procurement reform (including social and environmental aspects) following the adoption by the Parliament (in January 2014) and the Council (in February 2014) of new Directives
• National action plans of the EU Member States in the area of business and human rights
• Better self- and co-regulation (link to the Commission's website where companies and other organisations may exchange ideas and information about their practice as regards self- and co-regulation activities, and upload relevant materials)
• Peer Review: Reports outlining EU Member States National Action Plans on CSR and exchange of experience in their implementation
• Proposal for a Regulation establishing due diligence mechanism for responsible sourcing of minerals from conflict affected and high risk areas
• Multi-stakeholder Forum on CSR and the Multi-stakeholder Forum meeting held on 3-4 February 2015
• Commission Communication on "A Stronger Role of the Private Sector in Achieving Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Developing Countries"
• Study on "Responsible supply chain" (2011) financed by the Commission
• Study on Legal Framework for Human Rights and Environment applicable to European companies operating abroad

Examples of EU cooperation / dialogue on CSR with third countries

• Sustainability Compact for Bangladesh of 08.07.2013

International instruments in the area of CSR

• UN Global Compact
• OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
• OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict Affected and High Risk Areas
• UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and their implementation
• ISO 26000 standard on social responsibility
• ILO Tripartite Declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy

CSR in EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), example of EU-Korea FTA

• EU-Korea FTA; Chapter 13 of the Agreement is dedicated to Trade and Sustainable Development; references to cooperation in the area of CSR are in Article 13.6 (Trade favouring sustainable development) and in Annex 13 (letter d) to the Agreement