Corporate Social Responsibility at NPL concentrates on the charity and community involvement of the company and forms part of an overall corporate responsibility framework.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco Group plc, NPL follows Serco's guiding principles that good corporate responsibility be embedded in the business rather than being regarded as a separate issue.

NPL actively supports staff who wish to volunteer to work in the community under the scheme known as 'personal contracts'. Under this system, staff who engage in such work as School Governors, Scout Leadership, St John Ambulance, etc. can request up to five days' time off for volunteering per year. NPL also supports members of staff who engage in large scale charity fundraising events, by allowing time off and making a contribution towards minimum sponsorship requirements.

NPL organises the annual Water Rocket Challenge, which involves schools from around the country and raises money for a local children's hospice. NPL also holds a number of other events aimed at raising money for charities such as its Annual Charity Walk, Charity Golf Days, book sales and other one-off charity activities.

NPL links with the charity Young Enterprise, by providing volunteer facilitators for school events and by supporting a science masterclass, aimed at promoting science in schools.

As well as a dedicated CSR programme NPL has a General Activities Programme. This outreach programme is aimed at students, educators and the science-interested general public and generates a high level of community involvement.

NPL's Corporate Assurance Team is responsible for promoting a safe working environment and leads NPL's activities aimed at minimising any negative impact on the environment. More information can be found at Health, Safety and Environment.