A European approach to corporate social responsibility forms part of the broader context of various international initiatives, such as the United Nations Global Compact (2000), the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (1997-2000), or the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprise ...[+++]s (2000).

45. Agrees with the Commission communication entitled ‘A renewed EU strategy 2011-14 for Corporate Social Responsibility’ that ’respect for applicable legislation, and for collective agreements between social partners, is a prerequisite for meeting [corporate social] responsibility’; believes that CSR should complement, but in no way replace, existing legislation, collective bargaining and dialogue with workers organised in trade unions; believes that companies should commit themselves to discussing their CSR policy – and elements s ...[+++]uch as an annual company report on the social and environmental impact of their activities – with employees and their representatives; believes that an optional set of rules for EFAs should be adopted on the basis of the possible content of such a framework, as described in the Commission’s staff working document on that subject;

14. Stresses that social enterprises are important provides of Services of General Interest (SSGI); points out that such enterprises often stem from, or are closely linked to, civil society organisations, voluntary organisations and/or welfare associations providing person-oriented services and designed to respond to vital human needs, in particular the needs of users in vulnerable position; points out that social enterprises oft ...[+++]en find themselves between the traditional private and public sectors delivering public services, i.e., in the framework of public procurement;

14. Stresses that social enterprises are important provides of Services of General Interest (SSGI); points out that such enterprises often stem from, or are closely linked to, civil society organisations, voluntary organisations and/or welfare associations providing person-oriented services and designed to respond to vital human needs, in particular the needs of users in vulnerable position; points out that social enterprises oft ...[+++]en find themselves between the traditional private and public sectors delivering public services, i.e., in the framework of public procurement;

65. Stresses the role that corporate social responsibility plays by adhering to high environmental and social and labour standards abroad and applying best available technologies; believes these should be promoted through relevant fora such as the G8, G20, WTO, OECD, UNCTAD, UNEP and its International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management, the international metals study groups and other bodies; applauds, in this context, positive contributions through the UN's Global Compact; calls on EU companies to develop an appropriate code of conduct for those operating in third countries and to base their activities on the OECD guidelines for mult ...[+++]inational enterprises and ISO 26000; calls on the Commission to take measures which ensure compliance with social, environmental and labour standards by European companies mining natural resources in third countries; calls on the Commission to come forward with a proposal of its own on country-by-country reporting concerning conflict minerals and to establish legally binding requirements for extractive companies to publish their revenue payments for each project and country they invest in, following the example of the US Dodd-Frank bill; supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the global network Publish What You Pay (PWYP); believes that these standards should, in particular, be applied to projects receiving EU funding, for example from the EIB; urges the EU to investigate how the importing of illegally traded or extracted minerals can be prevented; asks the Commission to investigate whether ‘fingerprinting’ technology could be used in this context and to promote pilot projects based on the experiences of the ‘coltan fingerprint’; calls on the EIB to undertake a regular analysis of the expected impacts of its lending in the extractive industry;

The honourable Member is also reminded that, in the context of the implementation of the European social agenda, the Nice European Council invited the Commission to involve enterprises in establishing an effective partnership with the social partners, with a view to reinforcing the social responsibility of the former. Non-governmental organisations, local authorities and bodies administering social services were also to be involved ...[+++]. The Stockholm European Council expressed its satisfaction with the initiatives taken by enterprises to promote their corporate social responsibility.