European Commission publishes human rights guidance for 3 business sectors
The development of sector-specific human rights guidance is a commitment made in the European Commission’s strategy on corporate social responsibility adopted in 2011. The guides are consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. They take particular account of the experience of EU companies, but aim to be as globally applicable as possible.
Stavros Lambrinidis, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, said «Business is an increasingly important player in the world of human rights. This guidance aims to help enterprises in Europe and elsewhere to meet the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, as defined by the UN and strongly endorsed by the EU».
The guides have been developed on behalf of the European Commission by Shift and the Institute for Human Rights and Business. They are the result of an intensive multistakeholder process, involving representatives of business, trade unions and civil society organisations, as well as other experts.