Global Human Rights Policy
Internal Reference Policy (Global Human Rights Policy)
Updated: 18th December 2021
Purpose
Blue Standard Inc, it’s partners and suppliers adhere to Blue Standard Inc’s Human Rights Policy, which formalizes our commitment to uphold and respect human rights for all people. We believe this policy reflects fundamental standards for business conduct and human rights, provides a cornerstone for Blue Standard Inc to identify and manage its human rights impacts, mitigate risks and maximize opportunities for human rights to flourish, and fosters collaborative and transparent engagement with our everyone involved in the Blue Standard Inc. Human rights are fundamental rights, freedoms, and standards of treatment recognized by a majority of governments, businesses, and individuals around the world as belonging to all human beings by virtue of being human. Blue Standard Inc. upholds and respects human rights as contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the eight Core Labor Conventions developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN) clarify the duty of governments to protect against human rights abuses by third parties which includes business; the corporate responsibility to respect human rights; and a joint responsibility of business and government to remedy adverse human rights impacts if they occur. Blue Standard Inc. believes it is critical for all values-based companies to develop a formal approach to human rights. Human rights are integral to how Blue Standard Inc. works with supply chain partners, develops employee ethics codes and policies, and creates a safe, inclusive, and diverse workplace. Creating, implementing, and communicating a formal human rights policy, as part of a broader framework and roadmap for protecting human rights, will help to maintain Blue Standard Inc. leadership in retail, pet, and consumer product markets and reduce the potential for negative interactions and or situations for anyone involved in the Blue Standard Inc supply chain, all while allowing opportunities for engagement and collaboration with human rights stakeholders.
Blue Standard Inc.’s approach to human rights is guided by the documents identified above and anchored to the approach set forth in the UN Guiding Principles. Many leading companies with global operations, including Blue Standard Inc, have committed to adhering to the UN Guiding Principles which include the development of a human rights policy, a framework to assess and mitigate known risks, and mechanisms to report and remedy grievances where they occur. Blue Standard Inc. is fully committed to this approach.
The UN Guiding Principles state that:
[I]n order [for companies] to meet their responsibility to respect human rights, business enterprises should have in place policies and processes appropriate to their size and circumstances, including:
- A policy commitment to meet their responsibility to respect human rights;
- A human rights due-diligence process to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how they address their impacts on human rights;
- Processes to enable the remediation of any adverse human rights impacts they cause or to which they contribute.
Business enterprises need to know and show that they respect human rights. They cannot do so unless they have certain policies and processes in place.
Overview
Our approach to human rights is governed by internationally recognized standards. We use the following treaties, guides, and global norms to shape our approach:
Blue Standard Inc. has identified issues that in include those related to privacy freedom of expression, the right to equal protection against discrimination, health and safety, the right to freely chosen employment, young workers and child labor, ethical sourcing of materials, pollution prevention and environmental sustainability, sustainable and equitable manufacturing processes, and promoting reskilling for the future of work.
Scope
Blue Standard Inc.’s Human Rights Policy applies to all employees, partners, suppliers, and contractors, and supports the human rights of all Blue Standard Inc. stakeholders including internet users.
Global Human Rights Policy
Blue Standard Inc. makes the following commitments to promote human rights. Our employees, contractors, partners, and suppliers are expected to adhere to these commitments and are held accountable to them.
- Comply with applicable laws and company policies
- Adopt a human rights governance structure and responsible business practices consistent with the UN Sustainability Development Goals, UN Guiding Principles that promote respect for human rights, including the rights enshrined in the UDHR and eight Core ILO Conventions,
- Implement policies and processes to identify, prevent, mitigate, and remediate human rights risks and impacts.
- Adopt business policies and practices that protect privacy and data security of Blue Standard Inc’s customers.
- Contribute to global communities such as by promoting the benefits of increased connection and communication using technologies that support freedom of expression; supporting diversity and employee engagement; and supporting social programs including those focused on critical human needs (food, water, shelter, and disaster relief), education, and economic empowerment.
- Contribute to the development of international sector-specific human rights standards.
- Work with suppliers and partners to uphold these same values and implement similar policies and practices.
