New committee on CSR and Sustainable Development

British Standards is establishing a new committee to begin work on standards that help organisations contribute to a more sustainable and socially responsible future.

British Standards is establishing a new committee to develop standards on sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. The move has the support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The committee, which will be meeting for the first time in December, will have a remit to review and recommend the need for formal standards work in a range of subject areas relating to sustainable development and CSR.

• Management processes and frameworks
• Skills and competencies for practitioners
• Strategic business tools
• Practical implementation tools

Head of Environment, Sustainability and CSR at BSI, Mark Barthel says:

"This step represents an exciting development for British Standards and its stakeholders.

Organisations are facing increased pressure from all directions: government is encouraging business to be more environmentally and socially responsible; consumers are requiring higher ethical standards; pressure groups are becoming more articulate and sophisticated; and communities are demanding a stake in decision-making. At the same time, the drive to boost competitiveness and shareholder value is stronger than ever.

Sustainable development and CSR is all about striking a balance between these different priorities. We hope that this new area of work will help to clear the logjam between understanding these often complex issues and taking clear and practical action on them."

Organisations interested in nominating representatives on to the new committee - CS/1: Sustainable development and corporate social responsibility should contact Baldev Patel, the committee secretary on: 020 8996 7240 or by e-mail at: baldev.patel@bsi-global.com

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:

Wilma Tulloch on +44 (0)20 8996 6330 OR
Marc Edney on +44 (0)20 8996 6330