1600 Indian firms targeted on CSR standards

A campaign to raise awareness of CSR standards such as SA8000 and the OECD’s guidelines for multinationals has been started by the Confederation of Indian Industry. The organizers initially want the campaign to reach 1600 businesses in India’s southern region.

TT Ashok, chairman of the confederation’s southern region CSR sub-committee, said: ‘Though many corporates are interested to kick-start CSR in a meaningful way, they do not have the required methodologies to measure, manage and report the outcomes of their CSR initiatives. In this context, promotion of world-recognized processes through workshops and awareness creation programmes will help these companies invest in CSR and make it a culture and an integral part of their business.’

Other initiatives accompany the awareness campaign. The confederation is forming a CSR Networking Forum with a national-level steering committee, a technical advisory committee and working groups to promote best practices. The forum’s work will include training, ‘sensitization workshops’ and provision of materials to Indian corporates.

In addition, the confederation is to set up an award to recognize the best CSR initiatives by Indian corporates.