Human Rights policy and statement
Preamble statement
ABB is committed to developing an organizational culture which implements a policy of support for internationally recognized human rights and seeks to avoid complicity in human rights abuses. We support the principles contained within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the ILO Core Conventions on Labour Standards.
ABB seeks to identify, assess and manage human rights impacts within our spheres of influence and activities in line with the following policy aims:
1. Employees
To respect the human rights of our employees as established in the ILO's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, including non-discrimination, prohibition of child and enforced labor, and freedom of association and the right to engage in collective bargaining.
2. Suppliers and Contractors
To establish and maintain appropriate procedures to evaluate and select major suppliers and contractors, based on ABB's human rights and social policies, and to monitor their performance where appropriate.
To advance the application of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work through engagement and collaboration where necessary.
3. Local Communities
To respect the cultures, customs and values of the people in communities in which we operate.
To contribute, within the scope of our capabilities, to promote the fulfillment of human rights through improving economic, environmental and social conditions and serve as a positive influence in communities in which we operate.
To seek to have open dialogue with stakeholders and participate in community engagement activities.
To aim to ensure the provision of security is consistent with international standards of best practice and the laws of the countries in which we operate, using security services only where necessary and requiring the use of force only when necessary and proportionate to the threat.
4. Society
To participate where appropriate in public affairs in a non-partisan and responsible way to promote internationally recognised human rights.
To seek to play a positive role, within our spheres of influence, in capacity-building for the realization of human rights within countries of operation.
To promote the realization of environmental sustainability and development through our core business and through our participation in other multistakeholder activities where appropriate.
To uphold the highest standards in business ethics and integrity and where appropriate to support efforts of national and international authorities to establish and enforce high ethical standards for all businesses.
ABB Human Rights statement
ABB is committed to developing an organizational culture which implements a policy of support for the internationally recognized human rights contained within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and seeks to avoid complicity in human rights abuses.
Our commitment to the realization of human rights is embedded in the Group's human rights and social policies. Key human rights issues are embedded in internal risk assessment processes and guidelines, as well as being addressed explicitly in documents such as the Supplier Code of Conduct. ABB reports on its performance in the annual Group Sustainability Report and according to the criteria appropriate to ABB in the Global Reporting Initiative.
ABB seeks to improve its human rights performance by referencing key documents such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and relevant conventions and standards of the International Labor Organization, as well as other international standards, national and international laws.
ABB continues to be involved in multilateral efforts to support human rights through organizations such as the United Nations Global Compact and Global Business Initiative on Human Rights, as well as taking part in a wide range of other activities designed to promote the corporate responsibility to respect human rights.