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Backgrounds
Backgrounds
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) describes enterprises (and other organisations) which shoulder social responsibility beyond and above compliance with their legal obligations. 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.
If enterprises shoulder responsibility, this is a gain for society. It means training more than is necessary for their own companies. Giving a chance to young people who have difficulties. Enterprises which make a contribution towards a strong, solidarity-based, vital society promote an environment in which they can do business successfully. CSR strengthens enterprises' competitiveness.
CSR builds on several international instruments today: The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the United Nations' Global Compact and the Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy. They have in some cases different signatories and foci. However, together they form a canon of principles, values and mechanisms for enterprises' social responsibility. They are the most important international reference documents for CSR.
