The Evolution Of Corporate Social Responsibility Laws Across India, The EU, And The UK

Full Text Link

Abhigyan, Research Scholar, Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University, Uttarakhand

Ashutosh Mishra, Assistant Prof., Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University, Uttarakhand

ABSTRACT

Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR now plays a big role in how companies are managed today. People expect businesses to help society, protect the environment, and follow ethical practices. India, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have each developed their own set of laws and rules to keep companies responsible showing different ways to handle this. This piece looks into the history legal structure, and comparisons of how CSR rules have evolved in these regions.

India enforced a unique approach to corporate social responsibility through the Companies Act 2013. Section 135 made it compulsory for certain companies to spend on CSR activities. This shifted corporate giving from being optional charity to a legal obligation. Meanwhile, the European Union built a framework aimed at sustainability. It relied on rules around public disclosures environmental policies, and addressing human rights concerns. Directives like the Non-Financial Reporting Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive boosted transparency and corporate responsibility for ESG matters across EU member countries. On the other hand, the United Kingdom built a model centered on governance. It focused on the responsibilities of directors, the interests of stakeholders clear reporting, and ethical practices in supply chains. This framework comes from the Companies Act 2006 and the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

The article examines how different regions handle sustainability, stakeholder rights, and ethics in business. It shows the similarities and contrasts in their approaches. India enforces mandatory spending. The EU gives importance to sustainability reporting and due diligence. The UK puts focus on governance and disclosure rules. Even with these variations, all three point to a worldwide trend of moving from optional CSR practices to laws requiring corporate responsibility. The study wraps up by saying that CSR laws continue to grow. This growth helps drive sustainable development, improves transparency in companies, and makes sure that businesses act in ways that are and responsible.

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability, Regulation, Governance, Compliance.

814. THE EVOLUTION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS ACROSS INDIA, THE EU, AND THE U

Download THE EVOLUTION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS ACROSS INDIA, THE EU, AND THE U • 352KB