The external and independent evaluation carried out in 2023 established that more than 80% of the measures in the NAP 2020-2023 had been implemented. Most of the services, tools and initiatives remain available. However, five measures under the first pillar have been updated and strengthened.
Update of measures in the 2020-2023 National Action Plan
Multistakeholder initiatives on business and human rights
Reduction in human rights risks associated with gold extraction and trading
Human rights due diligence by federal government-associated businesses
Criteria under the core ILO conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in public procurement at the federal level
Consistency between trade agreements and protection of human rights
Update: The Federal Administration facilitates a deeper dialogue among stakeholders, including business associations and civil society, through panel discussions and discussion platforms. The aim of this initiative is to promote constructive collaboration through practical solutions designed to improve respect for human rights in business activities. Switzerland plays an active role in supporting various multi-stakeholder initiatives, including the cocoa, gold, textiles and coffee sectors, and in implementing the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers. These efforts, which supplement the new legislative measures, seek to maximise the positive impact of companies on the ground while promoting social and environmental sustainability.
Responsibility: FDFA, EAER
Update: Starting on 1 January 2022, Swiss-based companies must comply with due diligence obligations as well as with reporting obligations if they import and process minerals and metals from conflict-affected areas (see Article 964j ff. of the Code of Obligations, and the DDTrO). The Federal Administration informs the private sector of the applicable legal provisions.
Responsibility: FDFA, FDF, EAER, FDHA
Update: The Federal Administration will support federal government-associated limited companies and will work with boards of directors to discuss human rights-related requirements and promote the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles.
Responsibility: FDF, EAER, DETEC
Update: The Federal Administration provides an updated tool for analysing the risk of non-compliance with the core ILO labour rights for each country. Staff responsible for procurement are familiar with human rights due diligence, as a way of encouraging bidding companies to adopt responsible practices.
Responsibility: FDF, DETEC, EAER
Update: Evaluations of the impact on sustainable development, which also cover human rightsrelated aspects, are conducted on a case-bycase basis for new free trade agreements, once preliminary risk assessments have been completed.
Responsibility: EAER
New measures of the 2024-2027 National Action Plan
Measure 1: The UN Guiding Principles have been strengthened in two new areas: the digital space and new technologies
Measure 2: Contribute to the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles in support of promotion activities
Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) can boost economic growth and job creation, but they also pose human rights-related risks. In order to protect human rights in the digital space, Switzerland takes part in multilateral processes aimed at developing appropriate standards. The federal government will support efforts aimed at companies and states to promote guidelines on the application of the UN Guiding Principles in the digital space and in new and emerging technologies, in part through a UN guide on the risks of generative AI.
| Objective | Indicator | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation of the UN Guiding Principles is strengthened in two new areas: the digital space and new technologies. | New multilateral instruments, such as the UN Global Digital Compact, cite the UN Guiding Principles. Guidelines on the best way of incorporating the UN Guiding Principles into new and emerging technologies (e.g. in AI and neurotechnologies) are produced and published by the Swiss government with the support of outside partners. |
FDFA/STS EAER/SECO DETEC/OFCOM FDJP/FOJ |
The Federal Administration will encourage actors engaged in promotion activities (e.g. trade missions) to make an even greater effort to implement human rights due diligence. The inclusion of companies in trade missions could be used as a platform for encouraging the private sector to apply the UN Guiding Principles. Actors engaged in promotion activities will be informed of this.
| Objective | Indicator | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
Raise awareness among federal and cantonal agencies in charge of promotion activities, as well as chambers of commerce, of human rights due diligence. Encourage companies to conduct human rights due diligence in relation to their international business activities. |
Support is provided to federal and cantonal agencies in charge of promotion activities, as well as to chambers of commerce, in managing human rights-related risks (awareness-raising, training, guidance, etc.). Companies that take part in trade missions systematically receive information on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles. |
EAER/SECO |
For further information
The Federal Council's expectations
The Federal Council expects business enterprises based and/or operating in Switzerland to fulfil their human rights responsibilities wherever they operate and to carry out human rights due diligence. Swiss companies must therefore ensure their business operations have no adverse human rights impacts.
State-business nexus
Given the federal government's direct influence on the activities of federal government-associated businesses, it has a particular obligation to ensure that these companies respect human rights, for example by promoting human rights due diligence. It also expects federal government-associated businesses to have human rights best practices in place. The Federal Administration intends to promote the exemplary role of federal government-associated businesses and encourage them to develop human rights due diligence processes.
