Legal Obligations in Corporate Social Responsibility: Environmental, Labor, and Governance Dimensions
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-csr-lg-eth-ss-04
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About the Article
This article examines legal obligations within Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), focusing on environmental protection, labor and human rights, and corporate governance. It highlights how global instruments such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises intersect with national regulations like India’s Companies Act (2013), South Africa’s King IV Report, and the EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive. Case studies and international best practices show that legal compliance not only mitigates risks but also spurs innovation, strengthens legitimacy, and contributes to sustainable development.
Key Topics
- UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines as global CSR benchmarks
- National frameworks: India’s Companies Act, South Africa’s King IV, EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive
- Environmental regulations: Clean Air Act, EU Waste Framework Directive
- Labor rights: ILO conventions, national labor protections, NGO partnerships
- Governance obligations: transparency, anti-corruption, and financial integrity
- Strategic value of compliance in sustainable development
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Legal Obligations in Corporate Social Responsibility: Environmental, Labor, and Governance Dimensions. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-csr-lg-eth-ss-04
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