The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) mandated the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) to work with all representatives from different stakeholder groups to develop Guidance for the commodities trading sector on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights (UNGPs).

The draft Guidance is currently available for public consultation through 30th April 2018. The draft’s development has been informed by a Mapping Study published by IHRB in March 2017, and has been prepared by IHRB in consultation with the project multi-stakeholder Advisory Group

Guidance Aim

The Guidance is intended to help representatives of commodity trading firms to implement the (UNGPs) in their company systems and culture. It also serves as tool for the sector as a whole in developing a shared practice of responsible trading which is consistent with international standards relevant for the respect of human rights. This Guidance is not intended to be legally binding.

Methodology

The draft of the Guidance has been informed by a Mapping Study published by IHRB in March 2017. The draft Guidance has been prepared by IHRB in consultation with the project multi-stakeholder Advisory Group.

IHRB thanks members of the Advisory Group for their valuable insights and comments. The draft does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Swiss Government or members of the Advisory Group.

Invitation to Comment

IHRB would welcome comments from all interested stakeholders on the draft Guidance. In making comments, please be as specific as possible, including identifying the relevant section or example being discussed.

Please send comments to commodities [at] ihrb.org by the closing date of Monday 30 April 2018 with a subject line of “Commodities Guidance Draft Feedback”.

Submission of written feedback will be published as received on a dedicated page with each commentator’s submitted name and organisational affiliation. Commentators preferring not to have their feedback published should clearly indicate this in their submission.