Overview of main Corporate Responsibility initiatives[en] 

Background:

Over the years, Corporate Social Responsibility has become characterised by a maze of initiatives, codes and standards aiming to help companies do 'the right thing'. A variety of approaches are necessary as companies are very different. They operate in the context of different corporate cultures, using different styles of management and deal with different sets of stakeholders. The table below attempts to clear up the maze by organising a selected group of important CSR initiatives into nine major categories.

1. "Global initiatives"
Initiative (this grouping is based on Deborah Lepziger's "The Corporate Responsibility Code Book" (2003) - see further information below)	Objectives	Launch date
	The Guidelines are recommendations addressed by governments to multinational enterprises operating in or from adhering countries. They provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business conduct in a variety of areas including employment and industrial relations, human rights, environment, information disclosure, competition, taxation, and science and technology. (taken from the OECD Guidelines website)	Adopted in 1976 the Guidelines have been revised to include sustainable development issues and core labour standards.
	The objectives of the Global Sullivan Principles are to support economic, social and political justice by companies where they do business; to support human rights and to encourage equal opportunity at all levels of employment, including racial and gender diversity on decision-making committees and boards; to train and advance disadvantaged workers for technical, supervisory and management opportunities; and to assist with greater tolerance and understanding among peoples; thereby, helping to improve the quality of life for communities, workers and children with dignity and equality. (quote by Reverend Sullivan, taken from Global Sullivan Principles website)	Launched in 1999 by the Reverend Leon Sullivan (building on 1977 Sullivan Principles, South Africa)
	Through the power of collective action, the Global Compact seeks to advance responsible corporate citizenship so that business can be part of the solution to the challenges of globalisation. In this way, the private sector – in partnership with other social actors – can help realize the Secretary-General’s vision: a more sustainable and inclusive global economy. (source: Global Compact website)	Launched in 2000 at the initiative of United Nation Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
2. "Human rights"
Initiative	Objectives	Launch date
	The UNDHR has formed the basis of many constitutions around the world. It defines human rights broadly to include not only political but also social and economic rights.	Adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948, reaffirmed by the Vienna Declaration in 1993.
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights	This is a set of voluntary principles developed by the US and UK governments, companies in the extractive and energy sectors and NGOs interested in human rights and CSR.	First released in December 2000 by the US and UK governments.
Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights	This is a comprehensive set of norms integrating provisions relating to human rights, labour rights, consumer protection, environmental protection and anti-bribery issues.	The UN Sub-Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights adopted the guidelines on 13 August 2003. The norms will be forwarded for approval to the UN Commission for Human Rights in March 2004.
3. "Labour rights"
Initiative	Objectives	Launch date
International Labour Organisation: Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy	The Tripartite Declaration addresses companies, governments, trade unions and employers' organisations.	Adopted in 1977
	Social Accountability International’s first social accountability system, SA8000, is a way for retailers, brand companies, suppliers and other organisations to maintain just and decent working conditions throughout the supply chain. (source: SAI website)	The SA 8000 system became fully operational in 1998.
	The Fair Labor Association is a non-profit organization established to protect the rights of workers in the United States and worldwide. The FLA grew out of the Apparel Industry Partnership, a diverse group of manufacturers, consumer groups, labour and human rights organisations and US universities. (source: FLA website)	FLA was brought together by the White House (President Clinton) in 1996.
	ETI is an alliance of companies, non-governmental organisations and trade unions. ETI's objective is to identify and promote good practice in the implementation of codes of labour practice. Its ultimate goal is to ensure that the working conditions of workers producing for the UK market meet or exceed international standards. (sourc e: ETI website)
Clean Clothes Campaign: Model Code	This is a Europe-wide voluntary network. The Clean Clothes Campaign aims to improve working conditions in the garment and sportswear industries.	The CCC Model Code was finalised in 1998.
4. "Environment and sustainability"
Initiative	Objectives	Launch date
Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)	EMAS is a voluntary scheme for organisations willing to commit themselves to evaluate and improve their environmental performance. (source: EMAS website)	Launched in 1995 and revised in 2001.
International Chamber of Commerce: The Business Charter for Sustainable Development	The Charter aims "to help business around the world improve its environmental performance."	Launched in 1991
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development	The Rio Declaration defines the right of people to development while giving signatories the responsibility to safeguard the environment.	Adopted at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.
	Companies that endorse the CERES (Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies) Principles formalise their dedication to environmental awareness and accountability, but also actively commit to an ongoing process of continuous improvement, dialogue and comprehensive, systematic public reporting. (source: CERES website)	CERES was founded in 1989
	The Natural Step began in response to growing concerns about the public health problems resulting from increasing environmental toxins and worldwide social inequity. The Natural Step principles and approach aims to provide a practical tool for assessing our individual impacts and evaluating decisions in terms of sustainability principles. (source: Natural Step website)	Established in 1989 in Sweden.
5. "Combating corruption"
Initiative	Objectives	Launch date
OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions	This Convention defines key terms and develops a legal framework for addressing bribery of foreign government officials regardless of where the incident takes place.	Adopted in 1997
	The Business Principles aim to provide a practical tool to which companies can look for a comprehensive reference to good practice to counter bribery. (source: Social Accountability International website)	The Principles were published in 2002
6. "Corporate governance"
Initiative	Objectives	Launch date
<em> <strong>OECD Principles of Corporate Governance	These guidelines on good corporate governance address governments, companies, investors and business groups.	The Principles were endorsed in 1999. The adoption of a revised version  of the OECD Principles is expected on 13-14 May 2004.
7. "Company codes of conduct"
Initiative	Objectives	Launch date
<em> <strong>Shell's Business Principles	Economic principles relating to business integrity, political activities, health, safety, environment, community, competition, human rights and sustainable development.	1976
Johnson&Johnson's 'Credo'	A value system outlining Johnson & Johnson's responsibilities to its customers, employees, the community and stockholders.	Written in 1943
8. "Framework and sectoral agreements"
Initiative	Objectives	Launch date
<em> <strong>Agreement between the Norwegian Oil and Petrochemical Workers' Union, of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions, and Statoil	This agreement deals with labour, human rights and environment issues.	Signed in 1998
Responsible Care	This is the chemical industry's voluntary initiative.	First conceived in Canada in 1985
	The Forest Stewardship Council's principle activities are the development of forest management and related standards, communications and education, and (through a separate programme) the accreditation and monitoring of certification bodies working to FSC standards. (source: FSC website)	Founded in 1993
9. "Implementation"
Initiative	Objectives	Launch date
	AccountAbility is an international membership organisation committed to enhancing the performance of organisations and to developing the competencies of individuals in social and ethical accountability and sustainable development. (source: AccountAbility website)	Launched in 1999
	The Standard addresses the need for a single approach that effectively deals with the qualitative as well as quantitative data that makes up sustainability performance plus the systems that underpin the data and performance. It is designed to complement the GRI Reporting Guidelines and other standardised or company-specific approaches to disclosure. (source: AccountAbility website)	Launched in 2003
	The aim of the GRI is to develop and disseminate globally applicable Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. These Guidelines are for voluntary use by organisations for reporting on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of their activities, products, and services. The GRI incorporates the active participation of representatives from business, accountancy, investment, environmental, human rights, research and labour organisations from around the world. (source: GRI website)	Started in 1997 by CERES (see above). Revised in 2002.
ISO 14001	The ISO 14001 is one in a family of standards for environmental management systems.	Launched in 1996.
	The SIGMA project has developed the SIGMA Guidelines to provide clear, practical advice to organisations to enable them to make a meaningful contribution to sustainable development. The Guidelines help organisations to: effectively meet challenges posed by social, environmental and economic dilemmas, threats and opportunities and also to become architects of a more sustainable future. (quote taken from the SIGMA Guidelines)	Launched in 1999.

The initial selection and grouping of the various CSR-related inititatives as well as some of the information included in this overview are based on Deborah Lepziger's "The Corporate Responsibility Code Book" (2003). To order and to view chapters from this book please visit the

website of Greenleaf Publishing 

executive summary