In an era defined by heightened awareness of environmental and social concerns, including forced labor, the corporate landscape is undergoing a profound transformation towards accountability and sustainability – whether corporations want to or not. The recent provisional agreement reached by the Council of the EU and European Parliament on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) underscores the reality that corporate responsibility is no longer a mere option for select purpose-driven companies but is a fast-approaching reality for all businesses.

The evolution of CSR

An increasing number of companies are hopping on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) bandwagon but old methods, like box ticking and proclamations of strong values, will no longer do.

The origins of CSR can be traced back to the 20th century, when globalization reshaped supply chains, distancing brands from direct oversight of production, leading to diminished accountability. However, mounting consumer and investor pressure prompted companies to adopt commitments aimed at improving working conditions, ensuring compliance, and fostering sustainability throughout their supply chains, thus laying the foundation for current CSR initiatives.

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