Since 1969, CEFS and EFFAT (the European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism sectors) have engaged in a comprehensive social dialogue. In 1999, the European Commission officially recognised the social dialogue with the creation of the ‘Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee in the sugar industry.’

As part of the social dialogue, CEFS and EFFAT work together to promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the EU sugar sector. In 2003 the two organisations signed up to a common Code of Conduct, which sets minimum standards in eight areas. The Code of Conduct came into effect on 1 January 2004 and since then has been progressively implemented nationally.

A CSR implementation report is presented at least once every two years, usually at the end of February. Collected examples of best practices are regularly updated and serve as inspiration for companies.

For a general overview of CSR and social dialogue in the EU sugar industry, see EFFAT-CEFS joint brochure ‘CSR and the European Sugar Industry’ below (2011; first published in 2004)

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