CSR Risck Check: new digital tool for Swiss companies to identify social and environmental risks in their value chain
The CSR Risk Check for Swiss companies is now available online. With this digital tool, Swiss companies active abroad can easily and rapidly assess and identify social, environmental and governance risks in their value chain. In just a few clicks, the tool generates a list of potential issues for selected product and/or country in the form of a risk assessment. It also provides guidance on how to prevent and mitigate identified risks. CSR Risk Check is free of charge and searches are anonymous.
CSR Risk Check is currently available in English and German, as it is a SECO pilot project.
Business and human rights: two studies analyse the performance of the Confederation and the private sector
These external studies, commissioned by EAER and the FDFA, focussed on the implementation of the National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights 2020-2023 (NAP) by the Confederation and on how Swiss companies implement due diligence procedures in accordance with international standards.
The first study, which was conducted by a consortium consisting of the University of Zurich (Competence Centre for Human Rights), Good Rechtsanwälte GmbH and engageability, assessed the relevance and effectiveness of the NAP. The second study, which was conducted by ECOFACT and the University of Zurich, took stock of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct by the Swiss private sector.
In addition, concrete recommendations for updating the NAP for the period 2024-2027 were formulated as part of these studies. EAER and the FDFA have issued joint statements on the recommendations based on their relevance and feasibility. These opinions will be published together with the studies.
The studies and joint statements are only available in German. However, both studies provide summaries in English, French and Italian.
Now available - New explanatory videos on human rights due diligence and human rights risk assessment
Based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, these videos provide a brief overview of the main steps of human rights due diligence and of how to conduct a human rights risk assessment. They also explain how respecting human rights contributes to sustainable business success.
Certifications, social audits and supplier management tools: What is their role in companies’ human rights due diligence?
What is the role of voluntary sustainability schemes such as certifications, social audits and supplier management tools in companies' human rights due diligence? How can they contribute and what are their limitations? This Q&A provides recommendations to companies on how to apply such initiatives as part of their due diligence.
It is based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and was developed by focusright as part of the Swiss National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP). The brochure is available in English, German, French and Italian.
Responsible business in conflict-affected or high-risk areas – Q&A for companies
This Q&A gives an overview of what companies need to know about conducting heightened human rights due diligence (HRDD) and operating in a conflict-sensitive manner. It is based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and was jointly developed by swisspeace and focusright within the frame of the Swiss National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights (NAP) on behalf of the Swiss Confederation. It provides practical advice for companies that are connected to conflict-affected or high-risk areas along their value chain. The brochure is available in English, German, French and Italian.
Child labour due diligence guidance for companies - Tool and webinars
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) have jointly created a guidance tool on child labour as a resource for companies to meet the due diligence set out in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Thanks to the collaboration of the Swiss Confederation, the tool is now available in three national languages.
In order to assist companies in the implementation of their child labour due diligence process, the Swiss Confederation has mandated the Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein to organise a series of webinars. Among others, the webinars will provide step-by-step guidance on the due diligence process following the ILO/IOE child labour guidance tool for companies.
These activities take place within the framework of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2020-2023. The objective is to implement the measure 27, which aims to promote efforts to end all forms of child exploitation in supply chains.
Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Voices from the field
What is human rights due diligence all about? How do Swiss companies implement due diligence in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles? What have they learned, and what are the challenges? What regulatory developments are companies facing, and how can they best prepare?
In a series of four podcasts, experts from various Swiss companies and the Centre for Human Rights Studies of the University of Zürich discuss these and more questions. For anyone interested in the practice of responsible business conduct or looking for inspiration to introduce or further develop human rights due diligence in their company.
Contact
The coordination office of the National action plan on business and human rights is affiliated to the SECO and the Peace and Human Rights Division of the FDFA. We respond to your questions by e-mail:
