Implementing the Partnership for growth and jobs: Making Europe a pole of excellence on corporate social responsibility - 中欧社会论坛 - China Europa Forum

Implementing the Partnership for growth and jobs: Making Europe a pole of excellence on corporate social responsibility

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee

Authors: Rappoteur : Evelyne Pichenot

Date: 6 décembre 2006

Published by European Economic and Social Committee

URL: eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2006:0136:FIN:en:PDF

In the conclusions of its opinion, the EESC emphasises, among other aspects, the following:

  • European citizens “should have access to the most reliable and comprehensive possible information on the declarations made by enterprises and territorial authorities and the practices which they pursue”;

  • Member States should “include the promotion of CSR in their National Reform Plans and of course in the national strategies for sustainable development”;

  • The Member States and the EU should encourage enterprises to adopt a responsible attitude with regard to public procurement (social and environmental best bid policy);

  • In a context of diversity of sustainable development practices across Europe (which is a driver for dynamism but also makes concerted approach more difficult), an “inventory of national practices” encouraging CSR should be conducted, that includes public policies and existing legislation;

  • In a context of globalisation, European enterprises should “engage in responsible conduct, irrespective of where they carry out their activities, whilst respecting the values of the Union and recognised international standards, particularly in respect of decent working conditions”;

  • “The EESC endorses sectoral social dialogue initiatives that seek to involve CSR in the field of the management of economic change”;

  • “The EESC is in favour of SMEs playing a role in bringing about the widespread adoption of CSR practices desired by the Commission”;

  • “The EESC calls upon European enterprises to help develop the various measuring and information instruments, such as EMAS, GRI and ISO 26000”;

  • The EESC advocates for a thorough assessment of the level of CSR achieved at the country level – it could be included in the assessment of national and local sustainable development strategies. This could evaluate the strategy released in the European Commission paper.

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