The due diligence obligations of companies to respect human rights consists of five core elements. The following guidance documents provide a general overview of the central components, responsibilities and processes of human rights due diligence.
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD)
The updated version of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises contains new recommendations on the prevention of human rights violations and on the responsibility of companies for their supply chains, making them the first intergovernmental agreement in this area.
- Author:
- Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)
- Publication:
- 2011
- Download:
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises [PDF]
- Further information:
- OECD
Berlin CSR Consensus on Corporate Responsibility in Supply and Value Chains (National CSR of the Federal Government)
This policy document, which was jointly adopted by the National CSR Forum of the German Federal Government, offers companies of all sizes practical guidance across all sectors in the implementation of responsible supply chain management.
- Author:
- National CSR-Forum of the Federal Government
- Publication:
- 2018
- Download:
- Berlin CRS Consensus on corporate responsibility in supply and value chains [PDF, 468KB]
- Further information:
- CSR in Deutschland
5 Steps Towards Managing the Human Rights Impact of your Business (GCNG, Twentyfifty)
This guide provides an initial guide to identifying potential adverse effects on human rights from business activities. Both direct and indirect impacts are addressed, and practical solutions are outlined in order to identify action and improvement needs in companies.
- Author:
- Global Compact Network Germany, Twentyfifty Ltd.
- Publication:
- 2015
- Download:
- 5 Steps Towards Managing the Human Rights Impact of your Business [PDF]
- Further information:
- Global Compact Network Germany
Process Steps in Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Practical Guide for enterprises (Econsense)
This guide provides an overview of aspects to be considered when implementing sustainable supply chain management. These include, for example, the identification and prioritization of risks, the selection of suitable control and support measures for suppliers in improving labor, social and environmental standards.
- Author:
- Econsense
- Publication:
- 2017
- Download:
- Process Steps in Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Practical Guide for enterprises [PDF]
- Further information:
- Econsense
Step-by-Step Guide to Sustainable Supply Chain Management (BMU, UBA)
This guide provides an introduction and implementation aid to small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of sustainable supply chain management. The guideline addresses requirements for sustainable supply chain management as well as concrete challenges in practice (e. g. environment, human rights, working conditions).
- Author:
- German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Umweltbundesamt (UBA)
- Publication:
- 2017
- Download:
- Step-by-Step Guide to Sustainable Supply Chain Management [PDF]
- Further information:
- BMU
Remediation, Grievance Mechanisms and the Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights (Shift)
This guide provides companies with an initial guidance on how to ensure access to redress for those affected in the event of human rights violations.
- Author:
- Shift
- Publication:
- 2014
- Download:
- Remediation, Grievance Mechanisms and the Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights [PDF]
- Further information:
- Shift
No Way around Due Diligence. Overview of Human Rights Due Diligence Frameworks and Legislation (Econsense, Twentyfifty Ltd.)
The publication provides an overview of (inter) national frameworks and standards in the field of business and human rights. A total of ten frameworks (UN Guiding Principles, National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, UK Modern Slavery Act, EU Regulation on Conflict Minerals, etc.) will be implemented and similarities and differences will be pointed out.
- Author:
- Econsense, Twentyfifty Ltd.
- Publication:
- 2019
- Download:
- No Way around Due Diligence. Overview of Human Rights Due Diligence Frameworks and Legislation [PDF]
- Further information:
- Econsense
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct (OECD)
This guide provides companies with practical support for the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises by means of clear explanations. The implementation of these guiding principles helps companies to avoid and eliminate negative effects, e. g. human rights that may be related to their business activities, supply chains and other business relationships.
- Author:
- Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)
- Publication:
- 2018
- Download:
- OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct [PDF]
- Further information:
- OECD
Assessing Human Rights Risks and Impacts. Perspectives from corporate practice (UNGC, DIMR, Twentyfifty Ltd.)
This guide uses five examples to illustrate how companies from different sectors have integrated the identification of human rights risks and impacts into their business activities.
- Author:
- Global Compact Network Germany, Deutsches Institut für Menschenrechte (DIMR), Twentyfifty Ltd
- Publication:
- 2015
- Download:
- Assessing Human Rights Risks and Impacts. Perspectives from corporate practice [PDF]
- Further information:
- Deutsches Institut für Menschenrechte
Respecting Human Rights. An introductory guide for business (UNGC, DIMR, Twentyfifty Ltd.)
Based on numerous case studies, this guide shows how human rights due diligence can be implemented in practice and provides a clear introduction to the topic.
- Author:
- Global Compact Network Germany, Deutsches Institut für Menschenrechte (DIMR), Twentyfifty Ltd
- Publication:
- 2013
- Download:
- Respecting Human Rights. An introductory guide for business [PDF]
- Further information:
- Deutsches Institut für Menschenrechte
Supply Chain Sustainability. A Practical Guide for Continuous Improvement (UNGC)
This guide provides a clear introduction to the topic of sustainable supply chain management and includes a number of short case studies that illustrate the implementation of an appropriate management approach.
- Author:
- Global Compact Network Germany
- Publication:
- 2015 (second edition)
- Download:
- Supply Chain Sustainability. A Practical Guide for Continuous Improvement [PDF]
- Further information:
- Global Compact Network Germany
Seizing Opportunities, Minimizing Risks: Empowering Women in the Supply Chain (UNGC, UNW, Twentyfifty Ltd.)
This guide shows approaches and case studies for enterprises, who want to face the challenges of women in global supply chains. Women are disproportionately often affected by poverty, discrimination, violence and exploitation. Thus, companies who invest in the safety and economic power of women make an above-average contribution to poverty reduction and fair supply chains. Additionally, they reduce their own business risks and can access unused potential.
- Author:
- Global Compact Network Germany, UN Women National Committee Germany, Twentyfifty Ltd.
- Publication:
- 2018
- Download:
- Seizing Opportunities, Minimizing Risks: Empowering Women in the Supply Chain [PDF]
- Further information:
- Global Compact Network Germany
Respecting Human Rights in Your Supply Chain. Handbook for Purchasing Organizations and Supplier Handbook (Econsense)
This brochure is a guideline for both, purchasing organizations and suppliers, who wants to improve their performance concerning human rights in their supply chain. The guide gives a brief explanation about the importance of human rights in supply chains and provides impact assessment and a step-by-step guideline for incorporating human rights in business operations.
- Author:
- Econsense
- Publication:
- 2018
- Download:
- Respecting Human Rights in Your Supply Chain. Handbook for Purchasing Organizations and Supplier Handbook [PDF]
- Further information:
- Econsense