Human rights and fair labor conditions

Our commitment to human rights is confirmed in our Code of Conduct as well as in our Supplier Code of Conduct in which we confirm our support of, amongst others, the Bill of Human Rights and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Codes also provide guidance in identifying, preventing and mitigating risks related to human rights. In 2018, 28 percent of all Speak Up reports related to human rights matters.

To mitigate human rights risks, we continuously work to ensure compliance with national legislation and internationally agreed human rights standards and regulations. We regularly evaluate our standards and procedures for identifying, preventing and mitigating adverse human rights impacts in the Group’s operations and in our value chain. Our work on human rights is integrated in our regular processes and procedures in different ways, for example, in our Sustainable Supplier Management, our safety work and in our diversity and inclusion scheme. We have zero tolerance for forced or slave labor and child labor.

We also support children’s rights and the right to education through our community involvement initiatives in, for example, India and China. All employees have the right, if they choose, to join a union and be covered by a collective agreement. Health and safety are key elements in our operations, as we believe strongly in the right to a safe and healthy workplace.

We do not accept any form of harassment or bullying and believe in a diverse workforce without any form of discrimination based on gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, social group or any other characteristics.