EU Multi Stakeholder Forum on CSR 

Background: 

The European Multi-Stakeholder Forum on CSR (CSR EMS Forum) was officially launched on 16 October 2002. The main objective of the Forum is to improve knowledge about the relationship between CSR and sustainable development by facilitating the exchange of experience and good practices, with special emphasis put on SME specific aspects. In addition, the Forum aims at exploring the appropriateness of establishing common guiding principles for CSR practices and instruments, considering already existing EU initiatives and internationally agreed instruments.

The

permanent members  of the CSR EMS Forum include enterprises and other stakeholders, including trade unions, NGOs, investors and consumers. The Forum is chaired by the Commission. Other EU institutions and organisations active in CSR have  observer status  . Via the Internet, the discussions may be extended to other stakeholders and experts. When appropriate, representatives of developing countries will also be invited to the meetings. The CSR EMS forum hosts two high-level meetings each year to agree on broad guidelines, procedural rules and a work programme. The work programme will be implemented by theme-based Round Tables. 

Issues: 

The Round Tables build on the experience gained from

three experimental meetings  held during the first half of 2002. The  First CSR Round Table  concluded that codes of conduct were an important instrument, complementary to legislation and social dialogue, for the promotion of basic human rights. The  Second Round Table  discussed CSR management standards and decided that standards were useful if they manage to change behaviour. At the  Third Round Table  , participants discussed whether a voluntary or mandatory approach to CSR reporting would be the right one. 

The CSR EMS Forum held its second high-level meeting on 19 December 2002. At this meeting, the Forum Members debated and then endorsed the Commission's work programme proposal for the CSR EMS Forum and presented subthemes to each meeting topic.

The following issues were identified as Round Table topics for the CSR Forum:

1. Improving knowledge about CSR and facilitating the exchange of experience and good practice
2. Fostering CSR among SMEs
3. Diversity, convergence and transparency of CSR practices and tools
4. CSR Development aspects

Each of the Round Tables will meet at least three times throughout the mandate of the Forum. After each wave of Round Tables, a high-level meeting will be scheduled to review progress and improve the process if necesssary.

Meeting schedule of the CSR EMS Forum:

First wave of Round Tables
Topic	Date	Outcome
"  Improving knowledge about CSR and facilitating the exchange of experience and good practice  "  </></>  Assessment	12 February 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Presentations  EEurActiv summary
"  Fostering CSR among SMEs  "  </></>  Assessment	24 February 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Presentations  EEurActiv summary
"  Diversity, convergence and transparency of CSR practices and tools  "  </></>  Assessment	7 April 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Presentations  EEurActiv summary
" CSR Development aspects  "	17 March 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Presentations  Background information  EEurActiv summary
High level meeting	15 July 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Participants
Second wave of Round Tables
Topic	Date	Outcome
"  Improving knowledge about CSR and facilitating the exchange of experience and good practice  "	2-3 June 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Presentations  EEurActiv summary
"  Fostering CSR among SMEs  "	30 June - 1 July 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Presentations  EEurActiv summary
"  Diversity, convergence and transparency of CSR practices and tools  "	22-23 September 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Presentations  EEurActiv summary
"  CSR Development aspects  "	29-30 September 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Presentations  EEurActiv summary
High level meeting	13 November 2003	Agenda  Minutes  Speeches and presentations  Participants
Third wave of Round Tables
Topic	Date	Outcome
"Improving knowledge about CSR and facilitating the exchange of experience and good practice"	17 February 2004
" "	29 January 2004
"Diversity, convergence and transparency of CSR practices and tools"	22 March 2004
" "	12 March 2004
High level meeting and final report	June/July 2004