Policy and governance
Your human rights policies are the foundation on which everything else in your due diligence approach is built – but they only work if they are properly embedded, from board level to operational teams to the suppliers you work with.
How we help
We help our clients develop human rights policies and governance frameworks that are substantive, credible and fit for purpose. That means going beyond the language of the document itself and working with teams to build the understanding and commitment it needs to succeed. Policies and procedures need to mirror internal commitments. Senior leadership need to own how their company’s commitments are expressed publicly. Procurement teams need to know how to act on the policies. Suppliers need to understand what the policies mean for them.
Our approach
We draw on best practice from international standards – including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD Due Diligence Guidance, ILO principles and ETI Base Code – while keeping a clear eye on what is realistic and actionable for your organisation and your supply chain. Policy that cannot be implemented is worse than no policy at all. We help our clients get the balance right.
Governance
We also support our clients to review and strengthen Supplier Codes of Conduct, and to align governance structures with their human rights commitments – so that accountability is visible, traceable and meaningful.
What this involves
- Human rights policy development, review and strengthening
- Supplier Codes of Conduct
- Governance frameworks and board-level accountability structures
- Alignment with international standards including the UNGPs, OECD Due Diligence Guidance, ILO principles, and ETI Base Code
- Internal communications and rollout support to build understanding across the business
