The European Commission will not introduce legislation making it mandatory
for employers to intro-duce corporate social responsibility policies.
It has ruled out a regulatory approach in the short-term and has outlined
plans to introduce a multi-stakeholder CSR forum, which will include 40
representatives from business, trade unions and consumer groups. The forum has
been asked to draw up a code of conduct on corporate social responsibility
policies by 2004.
European affairs adviser at the Engineering Employers Federation, Hilary
Jennings, is pleased that the European Commission appears to have listened to
the UK government’s views, and chosen not to introduce a CSR directive.
"The EC is trying to balance the business call for a voluntary
approach, with the call for legislation," she said.
