Doing business in the Netherlands: Sustainability
20 March 2012by 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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Agency for International Business and Cooperation (EVD) provides information on CSR in terms of doing business outside the Netherlands.
Programmes
There are various subsidy opportunities for CSR.
Doing business in The Netherlands: Environmental rules
Doing business in The Netherlands: Staff welfare
Source: European Commission