Almost half of tenders for electrical work in the construction industry require contractors to submit corporate social responsibility (CSR) information, particularly on the environment.
A survey by trade body the ECA and the Considerate Constructors Scheme, found that 48% of invitations to tender, contracts or pre-qualification questionnaires ask for information on CSR issues.
One in four (24%) reported that they had never seen CSR mentioned in a procurement document, however.
More than half of businesses (53%) with turnover above £5m ask suppliers about their CSR policies and activities, the poll revealed.
Some 53% of respondents said they expect CSR to become more important to their organisation in the next five to ten years. Just 10% said they did not foresee the issue becoming more influential, with 37% unsure.
The top five CSR issues identified by survey respondents were: the environment (63%); health and safety (55%); employee welfare (50%); ethical behaviour (43%); and supporting local initiatives (37%).
ECA director of business and IEMA Fellow Paul Reeve said: ‘In addition to better company engagement with buyers and others, continual development in CSR can help companies, and the industry within which they operate, to be more attractive to prospective employees.’
Around 150 members of the ECA with turnover above £1m completed the survey.
