CSR - What is CSR?

What is CSR?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about enterprises and other organisations and institutions shouldering voluntary social responsibility beyond and above compliance with their legal obligations.

The European Union defines CSR as "a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis".

In the view of the EU, this means "not only fulfilling legal expectations, but also going beyond compliance and investing "more" into human capital, the environment and the relations with stakeholders". This point of view also forms the basis for the German CSR strategy.

For voluntary commitment which is a gain for all, a new interplay is important between the business community, society and the policy arena. Social responsibility of enterprises stands for this interplay and is a modern form of the social market economy. It is a matter of the responsibility of enterprises for society and for the environment in which and with which they do business. It is about responsibility for the whole.

CSR does not replace political activity and legislation. CSR does however offer an opportunity to pursue further social goals and to set standards. The demand by an enterprise to its suppliers from developing countries for its products to be exclusively manufactured without child labour is one example.

Policy-makers have the task of supporting enterprises in their CSR activities and of encouraging society to demand more engagement from the business community.

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