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Doing business in the Netherlands: Sustainability

20 March 2012
by Ina Dimireva -- last modified 30 March 2012

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Netherlands applies to all core business processes, from buying and production through to personnel policy and marketing.


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Legal requirements

Corporate Social Responsibility

In addition to producing profits, as a business owner it is to your advantage to consider the wider implications of your company's existence, both in human and environmental terms. One of the ways to do this is known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It applies to all core business processes, from buying and production through to personnel policy and marketing.

Ministry of Economic Affairs: CSR

Standards

ISO 9001 (quality management)

ISO 14001 (environmental management)

ISO 26000 (guidance standard introducing CSR)

European Ecolabel: certification scheme for non-food products and services

SA 8000: certification scheme for working conditions

OHSAS 18001 health & safety standard

CSR explained

The law requires businesses to comply with minimum social and environmental rules.

Administrative procedures

Getting started with CSR

CSR Netherlands helps businesses take their first steps towards CSR. As a know-how and network body, CSR Netherlands encourages businesses to adopt CSR.

CSR Netherlands

Certification of standards

Businesses complying with specific CSR standards are eligible for certification or allowed to use verification marking.

Quality management standards

The ISO 9001 standard places requirements on a business's quality management system. Businesses with ISO certification are able to show customers that they comply with the relevant requirements.

ISO 9001

Environmental management standards

The ISO 14001 standard places requirements on a business's environmental management system. Businesses with ISO certification are able to show customers that their product or products comply with the relevant requirements.

ISO 14001

The European Ecolabel awards European environmental certification to non-food products and services. Businesses with a European Ecolabel are able to show customers and buyers that their product or products comply with the relevant requirements.

European Ecolabel

Occupational safety management standards

The OHSAS 18001 standard imposes requirements on working conditions. The requirements apply to both permanent and temporary staff and to workplace visitors. OHSAS certification allows businesses to demonstrate that they have an effective health & safety management system.

OHSAS 18001

Resources

You can devise your CSR policy using the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) road map, which provides information on:

  • drawing up an inventory of expectations and CSR topics;
  • formulating CSR objectives and activities; evaluative aspects;
  • communication within a company;
  • tests to ascertain how socially responsible your business already is.


CSR Netherlands offers a starter page and guide for Dutch businesses in the field of corporate social responsibility.

CSR Netherlands

The Agency for International Business and Cooperation (EVD) provides information on CSR in terms of doing business outside the Netherlands.

CSR and doing business abroad

Programmes

There are various subsidy opportunities for CSR.

Available CSR subsidies

Doing business in The Netherlands: Environmental rules

Doing business in The Netherlands: Staff welfare

Source: European Commission

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