Press Release: More responsible businesses can foster more growth in Europe

A responsible approach to business means more, and more sustainable, economic growth. This is why the European Commission presented a package of measures in October 2011 to support entrepreneurship and responsible business.

First, the Social Business Initiative will help this emerging sector to fulfil its unexploited potential. This is complemented by an ambitious strategy for Corporate Social Responsibility to generate a higher level of trust and consumer confidence and improve companies' contribution to society's well-being. Both initiatives reinforce Commission efforts to engage with the private sector on social and environmental issues, especially relevant in times of public budget constraints.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Memo/11/738: Statement from EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Financial services, Michel Barnier and EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/738&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Memo/11/730: Corporate Social Responsibility: a new definition, a new agenda for action http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/730&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Memo/11/732: Financial reporting obligations for limited liability companies – frequently asked questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/732&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Memo/11/735: Social Business Initiative – Frequently Asked Questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/735&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EurActiv, 3.11.11: EU's 'ethical business' blueprint raises expectations http://www.euractiv.com/socialeurope/eus-ethical-business-blueprint-raises-expectations-news-508723

European Commission: DG Internal Market and Services: Single Market Policies: Business Environment: Social Business http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/social_business/index_en.htm

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