Corporate Social Responsibility

We are descended from an age of boundless confidence in the future, in which, after two world wars, everything could only get better. And it actually happened, assisted by an impressive technological evolution.

During last few years, and 35 years after the initial analysis of the Club of Rome, society has become increasingly aware that there are limits to growth. Al Gore became a household word, just like the technological footprint, and carbon, in a compound with 2 oxygen atoms, has been degraded from an innocent chemical element to universal villain.

This concern by society at large is justified. There are limits to growth, and policymakers, politicians and company leaders must not only take the lead in working out a more sustainable model of entrepreneurial activities, they must  subsequently also apply it. Critical in this regard is a good understanding of CSR (corporate social responsibility). Due to the hype around the public debate on CSR, there has been a proliferation of definitions and terms. At the same time, there are few concrete frameworks available for integrating CSR in practice.

Kiwa is working to develop a certification scheme, for evaluating and certifying the CSR philosophy and action plans of a company. Is it sensible to develop such a certification scheme? Yes. Customers, governments and organisations themselves have a need for substantiated quality, preferably through statements by independent parties and on the basis of a transparent list of requirements. This is not only important because customers and government organisations make certain demands, but also because the companies themselves increasingly feel greater responsibility, and because they want to propagate this as part of their social responsibility.

More information via janneck.peersman@kiwa.be, or by calling +32 (0)3 2590660.