8.6.2 Experiment regarding consumer information on CSR

Similar to the REACH experiment described in section 8.5.1, an experiment was conducted in view of this chapter. An information request was submitted to manufacturers concerning CSR aspects of a certain product. A total of 32 companies1 was requested to provide information concerning such a product with respect to (1) the labour conditions, including in the supply chain of the product; (2) corruption practices, and (3) the environmental impact (see the full text of the letter in Annex 8.3). In comparison to the REACH experiment, the response rate was significantly lower, namely 38 per cent in total. Assumedly, the fact that companies are not obliged to provide CSR information is one ofthe explanations for this. The quality ofthe responses was diverse. Only 17 per cent of the companies addressed all of the questions, and gave full and detailed answers. The other 21 per cent responded only to some of the questions or merely referred to their websites. The results are presented in Figure 8.2 below, and in Table 8.2 in fine in more detail.