This practical workshop supports companies’ efforts to implement effective human rights due diligence (HRDD). It is designed for company staff that is tasked with defining effective measures and developing human rights action plans to tackle human rights risks along their value chain and improve outcomes for people.

Objectives

Through a combination of theoretical inputs, peer exchange and practical group exercises, workshop participants will:

• Understand the key requirements of the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and of the current legislative developments in Switzerland and abroad with regards to defining adequate measures to address human rights issues;
• Learn how to apply the required criteria to define adequate measures along the value chain to address the (previously identified and prioritised) human rights risks in line with international standards;
• Gain insights into other companies’ experiences with HRDD, especially regarding the implementation of effective measures;
• Know how voluntary sustainability standards, such as certifications and similar tools, can play a role in implementing HRDD and support the company’s measures;
• Learn what to consider when defining an effective and actionable human rights action plan.

Participation requirements

Basic knowledge of HRDD is recommended to be able to follow the workshop. At the minimum, participants should be familiar with the basics of HRDD, e.g., as explained in:

- Introductory webinar

- focusright’s practical guide for companies

The workshop will deep dive into key element three of the HRDD process: risk-based measures.

The workshop will be co-facilitated by focusright. It is organized in cooperation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). It is part of measure 3 “Promotion of UN Guiding Principles” of the Swiss National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2020-2023. For more information, please refer to: www.nap-bhr.admin.ch/napbhr/en/home.html