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Principles and standards

Recognised principles, guidelines and standards are a good place for businesses to start when they wish to commence or refine their work with CSR

A variety of Danish and international businesses and networks exist offering principles, systems and indicators that may be used as the basis for a business's CSR strategy, implementation and reporting.

There are also a number of formal business standards for CSR, many of which provide opportunities for businesses to be certified.


The list below is not exhaustive but illustrates the wide variety of initiatives available to make it easier for businesses to systematise their CSR efforts.

CSR in general

Principles for CSR supported by the UN: Global Compact and PRI
The principles are based on recognised international conventions. The Global Compact targets all types of businesses, whereas the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) target investors.

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are recommendations for good business practices from OECD governments to multinational businesses. The Danish National Contact Point is working to promote compliance with the Guidelines within Denmark.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
The GRI is a recognised initiative for reporting on responsibility and sustainability. The cornerstone of GRI is a framework tool outlining principles and indicators organisations and businesses can use to measure and report on their financial, environmental and social performance.

ISO 26000 and S-397
ISO 26000 aims to provide guidance and recommendations as to which issues a responsible business should focus on when setting goals, formulating policies, and reporting, etc. The standard will focus on issues such as human rights, working conditions, environmental factors, consumer factors, social development, business leadership and fair business procedures.

The work has been underway since 2004, involving participation by approx. 400 experts from more than 60 countries. The standard is expected to be finally adopted at a conference in Copenhagen in 2010. It will not be possible for businesses to be certified under the ISO 26000 standard, as it will only serve as a guide.

However, Danish Standards is currently developing a standard – S-397 – which will be designed as a management system in relation to international standards, and will follow ISO 26000. It will be possible for businesses to use this Danish standard as a reference document in relation to their international activities.

AccountAbility (the AA1000 series)
AA1000 is a series of tools that combine business values with financial, ethical, social and environ­mental performance goals and an evaluation of a business's stakeholders. All this information is communicated in a published report.

The Equator Principles (EP)
The Equator Principles are a sector initiative established at the initiative of a number of private banks. These principles focus on CSR in relation to lending and financing.The Equator Principles (EP) The Equator Principles are a sector initiative established at the initiative of a number of private banks. These principles focus on CSR in relation to lending and financing.

Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME)
UN-based principles for responsible management education.

The environment and climate

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol)
The GHG Protocol is an international tool to help businesses to understand, quantify and manage their CO2 emissions. The Danish CO2 calculator at Climate Compass and the Carbon Disclosure Project are both based on the GHG Protocol.

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
CDP is a British initiative. The project collects information annually on climate initiatives in businesses throughout the world, on behalf of a number of investors, procurement officers and government authorities. CDP's data collection is based on the GHG Protocol.

UN Caring for Climate
Caring for Climate is an initiative for Global Compact members who wish to draw attention to their climate change initiatives through their progress reports to the UN Global Compact.

ISO 14000
The ISO 14000 family are eco-management standards focusing on actions businesses are taking to minimise negative environmental impacts and continually improve internal environment efforts.

Suppliers

SA 8000
SA 8000 is a business standard focusing on worker and employment conditions within a business and its suppliers. The standard has been created by the Social Accountability International (SAI) multi-stakeholder organisation.

Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)
The BSCI offers a broad business-oriented platform for monitoring social considerations in global supply chains.

Principles for Countering Bribery (BPCB)
The BPCB was introduced in 2002 at the initiative of the Transparency International (TI) organisation and the Social Accountability International (SAI) initiative. The latter is also the architect of the SA8000 standard. The principles have been developed in cooperation with representatives from a number of stakeholders and sectors. The TI website also features a number of implementation tools.

Worker and employment conditions

OHSAS 18001
OHSAS 18001 is a standard focusing on occupational health and safety policies within businesses.

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