CSR: Be nice

New guidelines on corporate social responsibility (CSR) may not be binding, but companies will need to take them seriously if they want to succeed in China.

The Guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility Compliance for Foreign Invested Enterprises were issued by the Chinese Academy of International Trade & Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) in August 2008. They lay out the government's expectations of a CSR-compliant company and make recommendations about its responsibilities and obligations.