The CSR Abroad Prize 2015 was presented by the Danish Minister for business and growth, Troels Lund Poulsen, on October 7 in Spektrum, Vejle. The winner Neutral.com produces sustainable fashion and textiles in India for the Danish market.The two other nominees for the CSR Abroad Prize 2015 were Butler’s Choice and the partnership between Maersk Line and FairFishing.
A front runner with the highest sustainability standards
The CSR Abroad Prize jury states the reason for their choice of winner as follows: “Neutral has proved particularly persistent in its efforts to ensure sustainability throughout its value chain and as a front runner in a very difficult industry. The company has been present at production sites and has passed on knowledge of sustainability to suppliers.”
“The company works with sustainability at full scale and has a number of certifications that cover the entire field. Neutral has proven that even small businesses can be agenda-setting and successfully implement the highest sustainability standards in their value chain.”
Focus on sustainability in developing countries
The CSR Abroad Prize was instituted jointly by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IFU – the Investment Fund for Developing Countries and is given to a company that has made a special effort to promote social responsibility and sustainable development in a developing country or a growth economy. The company must have shown that profitable business and strategic CSR can go hand in hand.
Additionally, the company must show that it respects human and labour rights, the environment and that it is working against corruption. The company is assessed in relation to both the UN Global Compact and the UN Guiding Principles of the Business and Human Rights, with company size, business model and revenue being considered.