Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Finnish enterprises have every potential to be among the world’s leaders in corporate social responsibility.
We have long traditions in compliance with labour legislation, occupational safety and health legislation and environmental legislation. We live in a democratic society where everyone has freedom of speech. We respect human rights and work tirelessly against corruption and bribery. All of these are potential competitiveness factors in the global market.
Corporate social responsibility policy builds upon a notion of CSR as the responsibility of organisations and their value chains for their impacts on people, environment, and society. CSR themes can therefore vary from respecting labour rights to privacy protection and from anti-corruption to land rights.
CSR doesn’t only apply to companies; the public sector can also be responsible by for example using social criteria in public procurement.
The Government’s CSR policy is in practice:
- producing information on CSR, such as reports or studies,
- building dialogue between companies, civil society, and public officials,
- capacity building, such as training on CSR for companies or public officials, and
- legislation.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for the CSR in the Government. CSR related issues are also dealt with in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (external economic relations, development policy), the Prime Minister’s Office (State’s ownership policy, sustainable development), and the Ministry of the Environment (environmental responsibility). Ministries coordinate their efforts and discuss them with stakeholders.
CSR issues are also dealt with in the Committee on CSR, which works under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Further information
Laura Pätsi, Senior Specialist, corporate social responsibility and
Sami Teräväinen, Senior Officer for Legal Affairs
firstname.lastname(at)gov.fi