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Responsible Business Conduct

 

Copyright: Stacey Naggiar for SMG

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for a robust involvement of the private sector in global development efforts. The implementation of responsible business conduct (RBC) standards and best practices is essential for the private sector to maximise its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


Responsible business conduct entails compliance with laws, such as those on respecting human rights, environmental protection, labour relations and financial accountability, even in countries where these are poorly enforced. It also involves responding to societal expectations – in terms of environmental, social and economic outcomes – communicated by channels other than the law, e.g. by intergovernmental organisations, within the workplace, by local communities and trade unions, or via the press (OECD) . Reference documents include the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on responsible business conduct, the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. At the Swiss level, RBC is guided by the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Action Plan, the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and the federal government's 'Green Economy' measures for a resource-efficient, sustainable Switzerland.


Companies must take due care to ensure that their business activities 'do no harm' to people or the environment. The SDC supports international and national platforms that encourage the private sector to align itself more closely with the international and national standards mentioned above.
Normative Documents
SDC [4.2 MB]

The Guidance on Business and Human Rights is intended to help the Swiss Representations in the field to engage in a constructive dialogue with Swiss companies in order to raise awareness of human rights issues and provide specific advice in relation to the local context.

The guidance has been sent to embassies and cooperation offices and is available online and as a hard copy brochure. It can be ordered (in E, F, D versions) from: sts.afm.mrd@eda.admin.ch 
Working Aids
SECO
This practical guide supports both SMEs and large companies in developing and introducing pragmatic, effective processes for implementing human rights due diligence – in line with the related UN guiding principles and OECD guidelines. In addition, it indicates first steps and further information that can be helpful to companies in introducing due diligenc.
SECO

This sector guidance provides companies active in commodity trading with a listing of receipts enabling them to implement the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. It was jointly elaborated by companies from the sector, NGOs and the concerned cantonal and feder-al authorities, among which the SECO.

Featured Items

The Guiding Principles were developed by the former Special Representative of the SG on the issue of human rights, transnational corporations and other business enterprises. They have been widely endorsed by international and regional organizations, States, business enterprises, industry and trade union networks, and civil society organizations. They reflect and build on the three-pillar structure of the “Protect, Respect and Remedy” framework, comprising of 31 principles, each followed by a brief commentary. Together, the Guiding Principles outline steps for States to ensure and foster business respect for human rights; provide a blueprint for companies to respect human rights; and offer a set of benchmarks for stakeholders to assess business respect for human rights.

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Key Links

Corporate Responsability and the National Action Plan on business and human rights - Website SECO

Business activities generate investment, jobs and economic growth, but they can sometimes have undesirable side-effects too. The Federal Council expects companies to exercise human rights due diligence. Integrating this in existing processes within companies offers many advantages.
DCAF / ICRC

The “Addressing Security and Human Rights Challenges in Complex Environments” Toolkit has been developed by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Toolkit is part of a joint DCAF-ICRC partnership that draws on the experience of the two organisations in order to support companies and other actors facing security and human rights challenges in complex environments. As part of this partnership, DCAF and the ICRC have also developed a Knowledge Hub (www.securityhumanrightshub.org). While the Toolkit and the Knowledge Hub are intended to have a wide application beyond the extractives sector, they were developed to reflect the commitment of both organisations as official Observers to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs). The DCAF-ICRC partnership is supported by the Human Security Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Sustainable development and Responsible Business Conduct - Website SECO
Switzerland's foreign economic policy contributes to sustainable development in Switzerland and abroad. It promotes sustainable trade and global standards for the protection of the environment, human rights and workers' rights. It also fosters responsible business conduct and supports selected developing and emerging countries in meeting sustainability goals and commitments.
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PSE
PSE Online Learning
Gender Lens Investing
Blended Finance
Responsible Business Conduct
Social Entrepreneurship
PSE Toolbox
Additionality Assessment
Cascade Approach
Risk Management Process
PSE Support & Trainings
Annex 2

For more Information

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​​Relevant Links

Title Year Created Date
OECD Guidelines Multinational Entreprises

2022-09-27 11:06:01
World Business Council for Sustainable Development

2022-09-27 11:12:07
BLab Switzerland

2022-09-27 11:11:27
Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein

2022-09-27 11:09:15
UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights

2022-09-27 11:07:47
  • OECD Guidelines Multinational Entreprises

    OECD Guidelines Multinational Entreprises

    The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are recommendations addressed by governments to multinational enterprises operating in or from adhering countries. They provide non-binding principles and standards for responsible business conduct in a global context consistent with applicable laws and internationally recognised standards. The Guidelines are the only multilaterally agreed and comprehensive code of responsible business conduct that governments have committed to promoting.

  • World Business Council for Sustainable Development

    World Business Council for Sustainable Development

    WBCSD is the premier global, CEO-led community of over 200 of the world’s leading sustainable businesses working collectively to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net-zero, nature positive, and more equitable future.

  • BLab Switzerland

    BLab Switzerland

    B Lab Switzerland is the Swiss branch of a global non-profit organisation that supports a community of people using business as a force for good.

    A historic global culture shift is underway to harness the power of business to help address society’s greatest challenges. B Lab envisions a world where businesses have environmental preservation and social well-being at their core and manage their impacts. We believe that the business community can be part of the solution to global problems like wealth inequality, climate change, and social unrest. 

    This requires redefining the role businesses hold in society: businesses should compete not to be the best in the world, but the best for the world.

  • Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein

  • UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights

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