In its Summer 2024 issue, the business magazine Bref Eco interviews Clementine Hazeran on the legitimacy of certain CSR labels. Interview by Florence Barnola.
Clémentine Hazeran runs Rate A Company, a Lyon-based rating platform and support organization for companies wishing to improve their CSR impact. She shares her vision of environmental and societal commitment, as well as her insights on how to approach a CSR approach.
What is your definition of a responsible company?
Clémentine Hazeran: A company's considered responsible when its positive, humanist values are translated into action. Through a domino effect, these actions have a positive impact on sales. The English have a saying, “put your money where your mouth is”. To be responsible, a company must commit and believe sincerely in a sustainable approach. The communication it deploys must bear witness to its commitment, based on the concrete actions it undertakes. What has it invested in? What are the flagship projects that structure its CSR strategy and enable it to stand out from the competition in terms of sustainability? In my opinion, a responsible company nowadays is bound to have a positive impact on its professional environment. It uses this influence to change the way it does business. In this way, they set themselves apart and their approach proves to be a competitive advantage.
"A GOOD CSR POLICY MUST BE EASY TO DEPLOY, ENABLE TRENDS TO BE SEEN AND RISKS TO BE MANAGED"
Where do companies in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes stand when it comes to CSR issues?
C.H.: Many entrepreneurs and economic players are aware of the issue. But this rarely translates into concrete action... From my point of view, there's still a lot of work to be done compared to other regions such as Pays de la Loire, Nantes or the north of France. I think there's a problem with the clarity of the offer and support for CSR initiatives in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. There are a lot of different players, but they're not coordinated, they're all over the place. However, there are some relevant initiatives, such as LDLC, which has introduced a 4-day week, and the SEB group, which has set up a system for repairing its products with a fifteen-year warranty.
There are so many awards and regulations, how do you find your way around them?
C.H.: First and foremost, CSR means complying with current regulations. Regulations establish a framework for the common good. In France, CSR awards/labels are regulated to prevent misleading advertising. As a consequence, a CSR award/label should at least address its legal compliance. However, not all awards are sincere or legitimate. Many do not respect regulations or the guarantee principle. For example, a label cannot be promoted and awarded if its methodology and reference framework are not public. What criteria have been evaluated? And how?
CSR is about anticipating change. It's based on common sense and universal values. The more companies shy away from their responsibilities, the tougher the regulations will become, and with them the administrative formalities. A good CSR policy must be easy to implement, enable trends to be seen and risks to be managed. The only thing is to find the right partners, including awards/labels. This is not necessarily costly, but it does require a change of perspective and a new approach to the subject.
Express Bio
Clémentine Hazeran has worked as a business reporter in the United States for France-Amérique (Groupe Figaro) and worked on special reports published in Bloomberg Businessweek or the Wall Street Journal. In 2012, she joined the business intelligence firm Oxford Business Group as editorial director for emerging countries. During her time there, she was also trained in CSR issues. In 2019, drawing on her international experience in economics and sustainable development, Clémentine Hazeran founded Rate A Company in Lyon. The company provides a rating platform for the stakeholders of the company under observation. In 2024, the structure, certified as a guarantee mark by INPI, diversified. It carries out audits, issues a label and supports French and foreign companies in their environmental and societal transformation.
Read more about the CSR label guarantee principle in France
Read more about CSR regulations in France
Discover CSRD, the latest European CSR regulation
Source : https://www.brefeco.com/content/hs-rse-2024-0
