PERSPECTIVE                                                  

CSR Practices at European Level
by Alexandra Bruce

Graduate of University of Oxford, UK and is currently working 

with an International Organization in the area of CSR.

Corporate social responsibilities at the European level, with their roots deeply embedded in the European values requires increased transparency and convergence at the Union level, in order to contribute to the Union’s Goal.

The involvement of all the key stakeholders is a must to ensure acceptance and credibility of CSR and better compliance to its principles. The EU success in promoting CSR ultimately depends on widespread “ownership” of the principles of CSR by businesses, civil society, including Consumer organizations, social partners and public authorities, including from third countries, which should be based on comprehensive partnership with representatives of society at large.

Common approaches and one-size-fits-all solutions may not be possible in all areas, since CSR is a fluid concept, and stakeholders also have different and sometimes conflicting interests. But a structured and partnership-based approach between businesses and their various stakeholders can be used to draw on practical experience, build consensus where this is possible, and promote innovation.

CSR practices can contribute to the objectives of EU policies, in particular sustainable development, by supplementing existing policy tools such as trade and development agreements.

In the context of the strategy for sustainable development adopted by the European Union the Union is committed to fully integrate economic, social and environmental considerations as well as fundamental rights including core labour standards and gender equality, into its policies and actions, with due respect to both their internal and external dimensions.

Within a business CSR relates to quality employment, lifelong learning, information, consultation and participation of workers, equal opportunities, integration of people with disabilities anticipation of industrial change and restructuring. Social dialogue is seen as a powerful instrument to address employment-related issues. Employment and social policy integrates the principles of CSR, in particular, through the European Employment Strategy, an initiative on socially responsible restructuring, the European Social Inclusion Strategy, initiatives to promote equality and diversity in the workplace, the EU Disability Strategy and the Health and Safety Strategy.

In the document published earlier by the Union "Anticipating and managing change: a dynamic approach to the social aspects of corporate restructuring", the Commission has stressed that properly taking into account and addressing the social impact of restructuring contributes to its acceptance and to enhance its positive potential. The Commission has called upon the social partners to give their opinion in relation to the usefulness of establishing at Community level a number of principles for action, which would support business good practice in restructuring situations.

What is required is deeply rooted changes in the society such as increasing participation of women in the labour market should be reflected in CSR, adapting structural changes and changing the work environment in order to create more balanced conditions for both genders acknowledging the valuable contribution of women as strategies which will benefit the society as well as the enterprise itself.