European Parliament approves a Resolution on the implementation of recommendations on social and environmental standards, human rights and CSR

The European Parliament approved on 5 July 2016 the International Trade (INTA) Committee (Rapporteur Eleonora Forenza-GUE/NGL, Italy) own-initiative Resolution on the implementation of the 2010 recommendations of Parliament on Social and Environmental Standards, Human Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility.

The text of this own initiative resolution highlights the following:

• Reiterates the European Parliament’s previous request from 2010 to include CSR in all EU trade agreements and provisions for greater enforcement, notably the possibility for the Commission to carry out investigations into alleged breaches of CSR commitments;
• Urges the European Commission to update its strategy on CSR in order to establish stronger reporting and compliance requirements and ensure effective implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
• Calls for the EU to set up CSR dialogue platforms bringing together civil society, businesses, international organisations and other stakeholders;
• Calls on the European Commission to actively promote responsible business conduct amongst EU companies operating abroad.