Why we need a sign of sustainability in companies – thoughts on CSE sustainability certification

Many large corporations that act ruthlessly are encountering more and more resistance. The reluctance of consumers is becoming more and more visible if you follow the calls for boycotts and educational posts on social media. At the same time, the marketing bubbles of some companies are becoming increasingly absurd. Corporate responsibility is turning into a race for consumer favor with lush green and likeable celebrities. Marketing is a game of illusions and those who can afford a lot of illusion enchant the potential buyer. In fact, no consumer can know exactly what is hidden behind the façade of a company. Sustainability reports are a matter of course. But hand on heart, which consumer reads a sustainability report? It seems as if the mere existence of a sustainability report proves that the company is sustainable. It’s like a person saying: “I’ve done an IQ test, look here, I’m a good person.” The time is ripe for so-called company certifications. This means that the entire company’s activities are audited by an independent third party. This is where the CSE sustainability certification comes into play. This is a certification for sustainability. It sets minimum requirements for the company’s activities (social, environmental and economic activities). The minimum requirements are ethical and ecological principles that are feasible and should actually be a matter of course for every sustainable company. If a company meets these requirements, it receives a seal of approval that it can affix to products. In this way, the consumer can really see whether the company meets the highest standards in terms of ethics and sustainability. Before millions of euros are spent on greenwashing, they could be spent on implementing genuine sustainability, couldn’t they? The Society for Applied Business Ethics is the standard setter for the CSE. The companies are audited by an audited certification body (i.e. a third, independent body). So if it says CSE on the product, then it contains genuine sustainability. No greenwashing – guaranteed by the CSE seal.

further contributions

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