UK

By Anne Lise Sigsgaard | 28. November 2017

The UK 2016 Updated NAP‘s Introduction states [page 3]:

“The G7 Leaders’ Declaration (7-8 June 2015) contained the following commitments:

  • To enhance supply chain transparency and accountability, we encourage enterprises active or headquartered in our countries to implement due diligence procedures regarding their supply chains

The UK 2016 Updated NAP‘s Introduction further states [page 3]:

“Companies understand the business case for respecting human rights and the benefits this brings. They understand that positive action, supported by due diligence, transparency and reporting can:

  • help to protect and enhance a company’s reputation and brand value;
  • safeguard and expand their customer base;
  • help them attract and retain good staff;
  • build and maintain sustainable and effective relationships with employees and external stakeholders;
  • reduce risks to operational continuity resulting from conflict inside the company itself or with the local community or other parties;
  • reduce the risk of litigation for human rights abuses;
  • attract institutional investors, including pension funds, who are increasingly taking ethical , including human rights, factors into account in their investment decisions;
  • help companies become partners/investors of choice for other businesses or governments concerned about human rights risks;
  • support company ethics and values.”

The UK 2016 Updated NAP states in Actions taken that [page 8]:

“We will continue to promote implementation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas.”

The UK 2016 Updated NAP states in the case study on Support for Land Tenure and Other Property Rights that [page 13]:

“Jointly with US, Germany, France, the AU Land Policy Initiative and FAO, the UK has developed a land investment due diligence framework based on the VGGT [Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (Land Guidelines, VGGT)] and other international standards, to guide private sector investments under the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition.”

The UK 2016 Updated NAP in Government expectations of business that [page 14]:

“The UNGPs guide the approach UK companies should take to respect human rights wherever they operate. The key principles of this approach are to:

  • adopt appropriate due diligence policies to identify, prevent and mitigate human rights risks, and commit to monitoring and evaluating implementation;”

The UK 2016 Updated NAP makes a reference to human rights due diligence in a NCP case study concerning World Wildlife Fund & SOCO International Plc [page 23]:

“As part of the statement, SOCO (…) also stated that “when we undertake human rights due diligence, the processes we adopt will be in full compliance with international norms and standards and industry best practice, including appropriate levels of community consultation and engagement on the basis of publicly available documents.”