Various organisations provide information for companies on implementation of human rights due diligence. They also provide advice on questions relating to human rights due diligence and implementation of the NAP and Supply Chain Act.
Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
The Federal Government has supported the Business and Human Rights Resource Center information platform since 2012. The website monitors and evaluates the human rights policies/work of more than 7000 companies in over 180 countries and provides information on human rights challenges by region, issue, risk group, and even by enterprise. A German-language version of the platform was launched in 2014.
Business & Human Rights Resource CentreHelpdesk on Business & Human Rights
The Helpdesk on Business & Human Rights provided by the Federal Government is a central point of contact for businesses on questions relating to business and human rights. Its main task is to provide free and confidential initial advice (in person, by phone or by email) for companies on the implementation of human rights due diligence processes. Services also include individual training modules and referral to sources of additional help and to grant and loan programmes for projects relating to sustainability. The Helpdesk also features two free online tools: the CSR Risk Check (an introductory analysis of potential human rights risks) and the SME Compass (with instructions and practical aids for supply chain management). Various event formats also promote exchange between companies and with government departments and civil society. The Helpdesk is part of the Agency for Business & Economic Development (AWE), which advises companies planning activities in developing and emerging markets about grants and loans under German development cooperation programmes. AWE is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and staffed by GIZ (the German Development Agency) and DEG (the German development finance institution).
Contact
Helpdesk Wirtschaft & Menschenrechte der Bundesregierung
Am Weidendamm 1A
10117 Berlin, Germany
- Phone:
- +49 (0) 30 590 099 430
- E-Mail:
- HelpdeskWiMR@wirtschaft-entwicklung.de
- Website:
- www.wirtschaft-entwicklung.de/en/helpdesk-on-business-human-rights
- Twitter:
- @AgenturWirtEnt
ILO-Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards
In addition, as part of its support for the International Labour Organization, the Federal Government provides financing for the ILO's Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards, which has been helping enterprises to apply international labour and social standards correctly since 2009. The Helpdesk offers information on all aspects of decent work, including collective bargaining, discrimination with respect to employment or occupation, the promotion of employment and decent work, forced labour, freedom of assembly, occupational safety and health, wages and benefits, and working time.
Chambers of commerce and industry and German chambers of commerce abroad
Germany’s chambers of commerce and industry have long been very active in providing guidance to businesses. German chambers of commerce abroad are able to inform businesses about the legal and factual situation in other countries. In some countries, German chambers of commerce abroad collaborate with German development cooperation agencies to operate CSR competence centres that provide advice about CSR activities.
The German Chambers of Commerce AbroadBusiness Scouts for Development
Providing advice on grants and loans under German development cooperation programmes, Business Scouts for Development (BS4D) is a cooperation network established by GIZ (the German Development Agency), German chambers of commerce and industry, the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad and various industry associations. Its aim is to connect people and implement joint cooperation projects in order to provide access to new markets and strengthen sustainable development in partner countries.
Business Scouts for DevelopmentCSR Risk-Check
The CSR risk check offers companies an individual risk assessment of their international business activities in the area of human rights as well as environmental, social and governance issues. It supports the company's own risk assessments and proposes solutions for minimising risks.
CSR Risk CheckDanish Institute for Human Rights
The Danish Institute for Human Rights is an independent, state-funded institution. Its mandate is to promote and protect human rights and equal treatment in Denmark and abroad. To this end, the Institute provides various online tools – including a human rights impact assessment – to aid the development of robust and uniform risk management systems.
Danish Institute for Human RightsDGCN Human Rights Due Diligence Info Portal
The portal supports companies in tackling the implementation of human rights due diligence and further developing their management approaches. It offers support for process steps, access to self-assessment tools and argumentation aids on the relevance of human rights due diligence.
Global Compact Network GermanyDue Diligence Ready! – European Commission
Due Diligence Ready! is a European Commission initiative that provides information for companies in the resources industries on responsible sourcing of metals and minerals. For this purpose, an online portal provides information and training materials to help companies comply with regulatory requirements and EU regulations.
European Commission - Due Diligence ReadyHuman Rights Toolkit of the United Nations
In cooperation with the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations provides a Human Rights Toolkit as practical guidance in complying with international human rights standards.
Human Rights Toolkit of the United Nations (PDF)Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Together with its 38 member states, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) works to promote social, economic and environmental justice together with equal opportunities.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) combats hunger worldwide and works to improve people’s living conditions, especially in rural regions. Both institutions provide guidance on responsible agricultural supply chains.
Further information
UN Global Compact
The UN Global Compact is an initiative to promote sustainable, social and responsible corporate governance. The website serves as an information portal on relevant human rights risks and provides online toolkits on subjects such as procurement practices and living wages in the supply chain. It also features online courses on business and human rights, on-demand online seminars and numerous publications.
Global Compact Network Germany