European project publishes Corporate Social Responsibility guidelines for the construction sector

European project publishes Corporate Social Responsibility guidelines for the construction sector

Brussels, 18 June 2010 – A European project on Building Responsible Competitiveness, co-funded by the European Commission, has published corporate social responsibility (CSR) guidelines for companies in the construction sector. The guidelines offer practical advice and best practice examples in four thematic areas as well as an in-depth analysis of the benefits of integrating CSR principles in day-to-day business.

The construction sector is the biggest sectoral employer and a major contributor to gross capital formation in Europe. Focusing on both the internal and external aspects of business performance, the CSR guidelines demonstrate how a strategic approach to corporate social responsibility can enhance the competitiveness of individual construction companies as well as the societies they operate in.

Based on an analysis of 44 best practice case studies and a series of stakeholder workshops, the guidelines offer a starting point for integrating CSR into management systems, supplier relations and operational business. They focus on four thematic areas of key importance to the construction sector:

· Health and safety – Improving operational efficiency and employee wellbeing through better management of health and safety challenges

· Eco-compatibility – Developing environmentally sustainable products and processes and driving innovation in eco-compatible construction

· Supply chain management – Increasing transparency and enhancing the management of environmental and social issues throughout the supply chain

* Equal opportunities – Harnessing the business benefits of a diverse workforce

The guidelines were developed as part of an 18-month European project involving both large companies and SMEs from the construction sector as well as relevant stakeholders such as business organisations, trade unions and universities. The project was implemented by a consortium of partners from five European countries, namely Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary and Portugal, and supported at the European level by CSR Europe. The project was co-funded by the European Commission (DG Enterprise and Industry).

The guidelines are available for download on CSR Europe’s website at www.csreurope.org/pages/en/brc.html.

*ENDS*

Notes to editors

For more information, please contact:

* Jan Köpper, Membership Services Coordinator, CSR Europe, jk (a) csreurope.org or tel. +32 2 541 1601
* Laura Maanavilja, Communications Manager, CSR Europe, lm (a) csreurope.org or tel. +32 2 541 1618

About CSR Europe

CSR Europe is the leading European business network for corporate social responsibility (CSR), with around 70 multinational corporations and 27 national partner organisations as members. The organisation was founded in 1995 by senior European business leaders in response to an appeal by the European Commission President Jacques Delors. www.csreurope.org

About the project partners

· Impronta Etica (project leader) – Italian non-profit organisation for the development of corporate social responsibility, www.improntaetica.org

· Nuova Quasco – Research institute of the Emilia Romagna region specialised in the construction sector, www.nuovaquasco.it

· Cooperative di Produzione e Lavoro – Italian association representing production and employment co-operatives, www.ancpl.legacoop.it

· University of Bologna, Department of Management, www.ing.unibo.it

· IRES – Italian social and economic research institute linked to one of the most important trade unions in Italy (CGIL), www.ires.it

· respACT – The leading business platform for corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in Austria, www.respact.at

· Forética – Spanish association for the promotion of ethical and socially responsible policies, www.foretica.es

· KÖVET – The Hungarian association for sustainable economies, www.kovet.hu

· RSE Portugal – The leading association for CSR in Portugal, www.rseportugal.eu

· CSR Europe – The European business network for corporate social responsibility, www.csreurope.org