Key Actions
i. Define the content of the policy commitment
Mapping existing company policies, such as those relating to health and safety and human resources, is an important preliminary step in defining a human rights policy commitment.
A company’s stated commitment to respect internationally recognised human rights (UNGP 12 - see box) can be integrated into existing high-level policies that guide the business, such as a Code of Conduct or Business Principles, or it can be a stand-alone policy document.
A statement is "whatever means an enterprise employs to set out publicly its responsibilities, commitments, and expectations”, (UNGP 16 - see box) including towards personnel, business partners and others who are directly linked to the company’s operations, products or services. The policy/statement may include:
- a commitment to conduct on-going human rights due diligence, perhaps specifying key steps and phases of activities when risks are assessed;
- the most severe human rights risks identified for the company as a whole and its approach to addressing them;
- the company’s commitment or approach to engaging, receiving complaints and/or consulting with potentially affected stakeholders concerning its human rights related policies and practices;
- the company’s commitment to provide for or cooperate in remediation.
Cocoa farm, Solomon Islands
UNGP 12 Principle
The responsibility of business enterprises to respect human rights refers to internationally recognized human rights – understood, at a minimum, as those expressed in the International Bill of Human Rights and the principles concerning fundamental rights set out in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
UNGP 16 Commentary
...The term “statement” is used generically, to describe whatever means an enterprise employs to set out publicly its responsibilities, commitments, and expectations...
