When corporate miss a CSR opportunity for a long time, there is no alternative but to bring a law. That is what happened on 13th March 2014. The European Parliament passed a law making it mandatory for all mobile manufacturer to have a common charger for mobile phones sold throughout EU. The law is likely to save electronic waste of about 51000 ton every year in EU. Imagine what will be the effect if this law become applicable thoughout the world.
But every one is not welcoming the move. Critics have their old rhetoric: it is a backward step; it kills innovation, diversity, competition. It limits consumer choice. Let it be regulated by the market and consumer and not by law.
Yes, we need competition and innovation which brought many new features and technological innovation in the mobile during more than a decade. Mobile phone is no longer is simple communicating device but a multifunctional tool. But is there any innovation in the mobile charger?
This case amply highlights that CSR, if followed proactively, will add value to corporate. This case also highlight that if corporate ignore the CSR issues for long enough time, a law will be made based on the need and demand of the citizens and civil society. The corporate will then be left with no choice but to comply with the law.
So CSR is no longer a choice. CSR is inevitable. The only choice corporate have is to do CSR proactively or comply with the law in a reactive manner, which often is not only costly but also impacts the image and respect of the organisation. As a consumer, I expect a single charger to charge any electronic device that needs charging for example mobiles, cameras, tablets, laptops and even toys, shavers, beard trimmers etc. Imagine if a gas station need several nozzles for filling gas in different makes and models of automobiles in the name of innovation.
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Dinesh Agrawal
