Survey on updating GRI Topic Standards to improve human rights reporting: A survey has launched to seek views on the priority human rights issues that could be included in future in revised or new GRI Standards.
The Universal Standards – which apply to all organizations using the
Standards – are being updated by the Global Sustainability Standards
Board (GSSB). The new version, to launch later this year, will increase
requirements for human rights and due diligence reporting, aligning with
UN Guiding Principles and
OECD Guidelines.
The scoping survey is open
until 19 May, to determine whether changes are also required to the
human rights related Topic Standards. Anyone with an interest in
business and human rights – including reporting companies, civil society
and investors – is encouraged to contribute, to inform the GSSB’s
decision making on the development of the Standards.
Current GRI Topic Standards include those on child labor, forced
labor, non-discrimination, freedom of association and collective
bargaining, the rights of indigenous peoples, and security practices.
The survey asks whether these existing human rights related Topic
Standards are sufficient or need revised, as well as new topics that
might be added.
We are fully committed to keeping the Standards up to date, so
they reflect global best practice in how organizations communicate their
impacts on people, the economy and the planet. That is why we are
undertaking a major update of the Universal Standards, which includes
greater prominence for human rights.
Human rights, and the responsibilities of companies to respect them, is
increasingly in the public spotlight. This scoping survey will help us
assess whether the GRI Standards adequately and sufficiently address
human rights issues. I would encourage all those with an interest or
expertise in this area to participate.”
Bastian Buck, Chief of Standards
Find out more about the GRI project on human rights reporting and the review of the Universal Standards.
In February, GRI supported proposals for new human rights due diligence requirements, in a European Commission consultation on sustainable corporate governance.
GRI
© GRI - Global Reporting Initiative
Key
Hover over the blue highlighted
text to view the acronym meaning
Hover
over these icons for more information
Comments:
No Comments for this Article