Standardization of CSR practices proposed<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
As corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs become more
\npopular among private firms in the country, the availability of a
\ngeneral guideline is therefore pivotal to ensure the proper
\nimplementation of such programs.<\/p>\n
In light of this, Business Watch Indonesia (BWI), with the
\nhelp of other non-governmental organizations and a number of
\ncorporations, has drawn up a formula to help standardize CSR
\npractices to improve the social and environmental conditions
\nwhere a company operates, it was revealed on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
"Indonesia needs to develop standardization of CSR practices
\nbecause that is one way to improve the quality of life in society
\nas well as the environment in this country," BWI managing
\ndirector Henry Heyneardhi explained during a discussion at The
\nJakarta Post on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
"On the part of the companies, they can't avoid the current
\nglobal trend that people prefer to buy products from companies
\nthat have good CSR activities."<\/p>\n
A previous report at the Post citing "The Millennium Poll on
\nCSR" survey amongst over 25,000 citizens across 23 countries
\nrevealed that 60 percent of the respondents were influenced by
\nCSR-related factors when stating impressions of companies and 40
\npercent were influenced by brand or corporate image.<\/p>\n
Therefore, BWI research coordinator Domi S. Wermasubun said
\nstandardization was vital to assure the public that CSR was more
\nthan merely a community development program and philanthropy but
\nalso ethical business conduct.<\/p>\n
The standardization is also crucial to improve the
\nunderstanding of the practices.<\/p>\n
At present, most companies associate CRS practices only with
\ncharities and community-related development programs.<\/p>\n
"That is why BWI has formulated a draft of CSR
\nstandardization, wherein the content regulates employment
\npractices, environment and public health issues, as well as
\nconsumption and consumer affairs," he said, adding that the draft
\nreferred to the United Nations conventions and other
\ninternational treaties.<\/p>\n
A senior official of the National Standardization Agency,
\nTengku A.R. Hanafiah, said CSR standardization would be a huge
\nstep for this nation's business community because at the same
\ntime the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) had
\nprepared a working group to formulate a global standardization of
\nsocial responsibility.<\/p>\n
"It will be issued as ISO 26000 in the next three years," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
A report from ISO's website says that the organization has
\nembarked on its first ever multi-stakeholder standard-setting
\nprocess with the aim of creating the ISO 26000 Guideline for
\nSocial Responsibility. Work on this began in 2005 and the results
\nare expected in 2008.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a director of the Indonesian Olefin and Plastics
\nIndustry Association Yoesoef Santo said that companies would
\nfully support the CSR standardization as long as it could help to
\nprevent conflicts among stakeholders of companies.<\/p>\n
"It should aim to create a better working environment among
\nowners, employees and the community in which the companies
\noperate," he said.<\/p>\n
Fitrian Ardiyansah of the Indonesian branch of the World Wild
\nFund for Nature said the establishment of common guidelines for
\nCSR programs could be a first step to make them mandatory. (006)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/standardization-of-csr-practices-proposed-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}