1. European Commission policy on CSR
Brussels, May 22, 2012

2. Context Last “Communication” on CSR was 2006
Evolution of business approach to CSR
Need to be consistent with new and updated international CSR instruments
Crisis puts new focus on ethical performance

3. A modern understanding of CSR
New definition: "The responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society"
Positive and negative impacts
All enterprises have impacts, all have a social responsibility

4. How should a company meet is social responsibility?
Legal compliance is a pre-requisite
Process of integrating social, environmental, ethical, consumer and human rights concerns into business strategy and operations, in cooperation with stakeholders
For more detailed guidance: refer to internationally recognised CSR guidelines and principles

5. What’s the aim?
Maximise creation of shared value, for company and owners/shareholders, and for other stakeholders and society at large
Identify, prevent and mitigate possible adverse impacts

6. Internationally recognised CSR guidelines and principles
The core five:
OECD Guidelines
UN Global Compact
ISO 26000
ILO labour standards
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

7. Invitations, expectations, monitoring (1)
Invitation 1: large European enterprises to make a commitment by 2014 to take account of at least one of the following when developing their approach to CSR: the UN Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines, or the ISO
Invitation 2: European multinational enterprises to make a commitment by 2014 to respect the ILO Tri-partite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy.

8. Invitations, expectations, monitoring (2)
Expectation: all European enterprises to meet the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, as defined in the UN Guiding Principles.
Monitor: the commitments of European enterprises with more than employees to take account of internationally recognised CSR principles and guidelines.

9. Conclusion
A balanced approach, in the interests of enterprises, stakeholders and the good-functioning of our social market economy
Enables Europe to play strong positive in global policy developments regarding CSR