Appendix 1: UN Global Compact

The Code of Conduct is based on the ten principles contained in the UN Global Compact1.

The UN Global Compact calls on companies to join, support and adopt, within their sphere of influence, a set of fundamental values in the areas of human rights, labor law, the environment and the fight against corruption.

Human Rights

• Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
• Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour

• Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
• Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
• Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
• Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment

• Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
• Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
• Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption

• Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

There is a global consensus on the principles of the UN Global Compact and they derive from:

  • the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • the International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
  • the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
  • the UN Convention Against Corruption