SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY : CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITYaALLIANCE TO EXCHANGE GOOD PRACTICES.

The European Commission decided on 22 March to sponsor the launch of a new initiative on corporate social responsibility, a joint initiative of Industry and Enterprise Commissioner Guenther Verheugen and his colleague at Employment and Social Affairs, Vladimir Spidla. 'The time has come to make Europe a pole of excellence regarding corporate social responsibility', runs a brief statement released by the Commission, outlining the various stages and objectives of this approach.

Following a long period of reflection - a Green Paper in 2001, a Communication in 2002 and the establishment of a forum bringing together all stakeholders - the Commission feels that 'new legislation is not necessary' and that an informal approach is preferable. 'A voluntary platform is the most effective formula possible and the least bureaucratic', according to a source close to the two Commissioners. Several leading companies (eg Arcelor, BP, Danone, Epson, Intel, Toyota) and the main employers' organisations (UNICE and UEAPME) will sign up to the Alliance' at its public presentation. The alliance will remain open with businesses of all sizes and from all sectors invited to join.

THE COMMISSION HAS RESOLVED THAT 'IT IS FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL COMPANY TO DEFINE ITS OWN OBJECTIVES'

The alliance pledges to explore and support all creative avenues for exchanging and disseminating best practice on social responsibility. Several priorities have been identified: innovation and...