One of the ways in which the Dutch government companies stimulates to corporate social responsibility is to integrate CSR in their subsidy policies for (starting) companies. An example is the Private Sector Investment Program (PSI), to support inventive investment programs in upcoming markets like Afrika, Azia, Latin America and Middle and Eastern Europe. Dutch companies that want to be qualified for these subsidies have to comply with specific CSR standard including human rights. Aim for human rights offers training to support government employees to integrate human rights within their daily activities.

The Dutch government is aiming to be a frontrunner in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility. The sustainable procurement program is one of the CSR initiatives of the Dutch government and has been implemented as of January 2010. Within the program, products which the government procures are besides other criteria selected based on social and environmental criteria. Regarding the social criteria, the Council of Ministers last fall determined that the four fundamental ILO standards and business related human rights of the Universal Declaration will be generic criteria for all products procured by the government. These business related human rights of the Universal Declaration have not been further defined by the government. Aim for human rights offers training to assist procurers from the Dutch government to implement the social criteria within their procurement practices.

We also offer assistance in:

• Developing social criteria for products for which as yet no social criteria exist;
• Carrying out risk analyses for specific countries and suppliers;
• Evaluating proof and verification of suppliers on social practices;
• Evaluating reports on social standards;
• ‘Engagement’ with suppliers.

For more information please contact Liesbeth Unger by e-mail or +31 (0)30 234 90 87.