Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate social responsibility has a long tradition in Europe and in Germany in particular. The concept of the "honourable merchant" can be seen as related. During the industrial revolution, this concept was replaced by that of industrialists who considered it natural to contribute actively to society. In recent decades, however, this concept of social responsibility has undergone change. With growing globalization, governments and NGOs throughout the world have begun to address the subject. A range of international bodies of regulations and private standards reflect this fact, and have led to strong formalization and new forms of presentation of enterprises' social responsibility.

In the course of this development, "corporate social responsibility" (CSR) has become the standard term, referring in particular to a new, formalized embodiment of enterprises' social responsibility. Usually, CSR addresses several areas of activity: observance of human rights, working conditions, safeguarding of the environment, the combating of corruption and bribery, consumer interests, respectable business practices and fair competition.

Corporate social responsibility is also important within the electrical and electronics industry. The ZVEI monitors developments in the various sub-areas of CSR.

A number of CSR-related activities are currently in progress at European level. The Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission announced a communication concerning CSR some time ago. The Directorate-General Internal Market and Services is currently discussing new disclosure requirements for companies concerning non-financial information.

Your contact at the ZVEI

ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e. V.
Technical regulations and standardization department
Dr. Alexandra Schleier
Lyoner Strasse 9
60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Fon +(49)69 6302-282
Fax +(49)69 6302-234
E-mail schleier(at)zvei.org