08/03/2007: The report on 'Corporate Social Responsibility: a new partnership', which was presented to the plenary in Strasbourg, incorporated a great number of amendments by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP for the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality. These amendments aim at promoting the principles of equality and entrepreneurship.
During the debate, the MEP stressed that although CSR cannot replace the action and responsibility of public authorities, it includes aspects relating to environmental, social and educational necessities. In opposition to the rapporteur, Richard Howitt, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou underlined that the success of CSR both in SMEs and multinationals relied on its voluntary and non-mandatory nature for companies. Consequently, any action aiming at creating a compulsory CSR, including reporting obligations, would be counter-productive and incompatible with the EU's objectives for the simplification and improvement of the legislation and the regulatory framework.
Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou explained that a voluntary CSR could substantially help address the challenges resulting from globalisation and contribute to the preservation of the European social model which relies on the principles of non-discrimination, equal chances for all, social inclusion, high quality of life, among others, through the reconciliation of family and professional life and a healthy environment.
By adopting CSR, companies contribute to the EU's objectives for prosperity, solidarity and long-term security as well as to the promotion of European values and commonly-agreed principles of the International Labour Organisation, wherever these companies may perform their activities.
At the end of her speech, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou underlined that the proposal to create a new European Alliance for CSR should contribute to the strengthening of the social, environmental and economic responsibility of companies. She added that the voluntary adoption of a European Charter of Good Conduct on CSR could facilitate the adoption of actions for the reconciliation of family and professional life as well as the offer of educational and cultural activities.
During the debate, the MEP stressed that although CSR cannot replace the action and responsibility of public authorities, it includes aspects relating to environmental, social and educational necessities. In opposition to the rapporteur, Richard Howitt, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou underlined that the success of CSR both in SMEs and multinationals relied on its voluntary and non-mandatory nature for companies. Consequently, any action aiming at creating a compulsory CSR, including reporting obligations, would be counter-productive and incompatible with the EU's objectives for the simplification and improvement of the legislation and the regulatory framework.
Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou explained that a voluntary CSR could substantially help address the challenges resulting from globalisation and contribute to the preservation of the European social model which relies on the principles of non-discrimination, equal chances for all, social inclusion, high quality of life, among others, through the reconciliation of family and professional life and a healthy environment.
By adopting CSR, companies contribute to the EU's objectives for prosperity, solidarity and long-term security as well as to the promotion of European values and commonly-agreed principles of the International Labour Organisation, wherever these companies may perform their activities.
At the end of her speech, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou underlined that the proposal to create a new European Alliance for CSR should contribute to the strengthening of the social, environmental and economic responsibility of companies. She added that the voluntary adoption of a European Charter of Good Conduct on CSR could facilitate the adoption of actions for the reconciliation of family and professional life as well as the offer of educational and cultural activities.
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