Many multinational companies nowadays have their own code of conduct,
which specifies their policy on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
issues. These codes of conduct usually apply to the entire enterprise,
often even including suppliers in their production chain.
SOMO investigates, amongst other topics, whether or not companies live
up to their own standards as outlined in their codes of conduct. SOMO
also checks if a company applies the correct mechanisms of
implementation and control, and if this is being verified
independently. Practice shows that a code of conduct, without the
proper internal monitoring and external verification, is often no more
than a public relations instrument.
SOMO’s research and activities in the field of codes of conduct focus
especially on multi-stakeholder initiatives, in which companies, trade
unions and NGO’s work together on improvements in the area of CSR.
News Codes & Verification
24-03-2010
UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, has commissioned SOMO to carry out research into the importance of codes of conduct and standards for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. The project is based on research conducted in the clothing industry in Turkey, the furniture industry in Brazil and the leather industry in India. Local researchers interviewed over 100 businesses in these countries. Based on the findings of this study, UNIDO will publish a handbook in the latter half of this year in collaboration with SOMO on codes of conduct and business standards. The handbook is designed to help businesses in developing countries establish their own codes of conduct and enhance their market opportunities.
