Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The Dutch government wishes to encourage Corporate Social Responsibility in the business community.

As a consequence, the Dutch State has developed criteria for CSR policy when applying its ‘foreign financial support instruments’. Export credit insurance and investment insurance are part of these foreign financial support instruments.

Since the companies that make use of export credit insurance and investment insurance, operate on the international market, the agreements for Corporate Social Responsibility that are made at an international level are of great importance. The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises form an important legal framework for the behaviour of companies on an international level. It is for this reason that the Dutch State has decided to enforce the OECD guidelines by requiring from companies to use best efforts if they wish to make use of the export credit insurance or investment insurance.

It has also been agreed that the applications from companies are assessed in order to prevent irresponsible behaviour in doing business with the use of insurance. These assessments will particularly focus on bribery and the environment.

What are the consequences for you? When applying for insurance, you must state that you have taken notice of the OECD-guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and that you will make every effort to incorporate these guidelines into your organisation. Also, you have to state that you have refrained from bribery, from inciting bribery or being accessory to it in connection with winning or performing the contract covered by the application, or performing under this contract.

At the application for investment insurance you will also have to indicate whether there was mention of child labour, forced labour or restrictions of the rights for union or collective bargaining for employees during the term of insurance. If there is legitimate proof that these fundamental labour conditions are violated, the application may be rejected. For more information on the CSR review, we refer you to our brochure "Atradius Dutch State Business and CSR”.

Finally, the application procedure will include a review of environmental and social impacts. Click here for more information on the review of environmental and social impacts.