Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is defined as voluntary social and environmental practices of business, linked to their core activities, which go beyond companies' existing legal obligations.

"Corporate Social Responsibility can play an important role in advancing sustainable development. Many businesses have already recognised that CSR can be profitable and CSR schemes have mushroomed..CSR is not just for multinationals: it can benefit smaller businesses too."

Anna Diamantopoulou

Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, European Commission EC Press Release, IP/02/985, Brussels, 2 July 2002