Guidelines and practical tools

For some companies, particularly SMEs, implementing due diligence procedures and managing risks can be a significant challenge. Switzerland develops guidelines, guides, brochures and practical tools to help companies understand and apply human rights due diligence.

Signpost in 3 directions: Guidance, Assitance and Support

General guides and instructional videos

Practical guide on implementing human rights due diligence

This guide supports SMEs and large companies in developing and implementing human rights due diligence processes in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines. It covers both the fundamentals and more advanced guidance to help companies take concrete action.

Practical videos on implementing human rights due diligence

These two explanatory videos offer businesses a practical introduction to human rights due diligence. The first outlines the six steps of a management system designed to respect human rights and prevent adverse impacts throughout the value chain. The second focuses on human rights risk analysis and explains how to identify and address risks proactively. Both are based on the UN and OECD Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

This introductory webinar on human rights due diligence is aimed at all companies seeking to better understand developments in the field of business and human rights and to understand due diligence and how to implement it in practice.

The UN Global Compact offers online courses to support companies through its Academy:

  • Business and Human Rights: Helps companies understand the relevance of human rights to their business and how they can align their operations with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the UN Guiding Principles.
  • Labour Standards in Global Supply Chains: Provides practical guidance on engaging with suppliers, best practices in sustainable procurement, and solutions to challenges regarding decent work.
  • Business & Human Rights Accelerator: A programme designed to support businesses with practical measures to advance human rights across their operations and supply chains.

The ILO's International Training Centre offers a range of resources to support businesses in this area:

Practical guides and thematic and sector-specific tools

Combating child labour and forced labour

Webinars on child labour due diligence

This webinar series guides businesses in applying effective due diligence procedures on child labour in their operations and value chains, in line with Swiss legislation in force since 1 January 2022.

Building on the first series, the in-depth webinars address more specific issues and provide targeted support to Swiss companies.

OECD guidance

The OECD has developed guidance to help businesses address risks relating to the worst forms of child labour in their mineral supply chains. The following guide was developed on the basis of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance: Practical Actions for companies to identify and address the worst forms of child labour in mineral supply chains.

Child Labour Observatory (CLO)

The Child Labour Observatory is a centralised platform established by the ILO, bringing together data, legislation, policies and findings on the fight against child labour across the organisation's 187 member states. It serves as a comprehensive, accessible reference for policy-makers, governments, social partners, businesses, researchers and international organisations seeking to understand current trends and policy developments in this area.

Forced Labour Observatory (FLO)

The Forced Labour Observatory (FLO) is a centralised ILO platform bringing together data, statistics, legislation and policies on forced labour and human trafficking. It covers global and country-level information on legal and institutional frameworks, prevention and protection measures, and access to justice and cooperation mechanisms. It is an essential reference for policy-makers, governments, social partners, businesses, researchers and international organisations working in this area.

OECD sectoral guides

The OECD has also developed sector-specific guides covering extractives, agriculture, textiles, finance and other industries.

Commodity trading

On 28 November 2018, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) launched a good practice guide on human rights in commodity trading. This guide, available at commodity-trading.org and regularly updated, was developed through a multi-stakeholder approach involving authorities, companies and civil society. It provides concrete guidance to strengthen due diligence and better manage risks. This initiative reflects Switzerland's commitment to a more responsible sector, grounded in dialogue and cooperation.

Conflict zones and high-risk areas

Businesses operating in conflict-affected areas face a heightened risk of causing or contributing to human rights violations. This webinar covers the core principles of heightened human rights due diligence (HHRDD) and good practices for conflict-sensitive business conduct in accordance with international humanitarian law.

This document, produced by swisspeace and focusright under the NAP framework on behalf of the federal government, offers Q&A-format guidance for businesses on enhanced human rights due diligence and conflict-sensitive operations. It draws on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and provides practical recommendations for businesses with links to conflict-affected or high-risk areas anywhere in their value chain.

Certifications and social audits

What role do voluntary sustainability initiatives – certifications, social audits and supplier management tools – play in corporate human rights due diligence? What can they contribute, and what are their limits? This Q&A-format document offers businesses practical guidance on incorporating such initiatives into their due diligence processes.

Brochure for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

This brochure introduces Swiss SMEs to responsible business conduct, covering the key international and national reference frameworks. It sets out concrete approaches for integrating human rights into business management, guides SMEs through establishing due diligence procedures, and provides useful tools for risk assessment.

Practical tools

CSR Risk Check

Swiss businesses operating abroad can use the CSR Risk Check, a free, anonymous online tool for assessing social, environmental and governance risks in their value chain. It provides an immediate risk assessment by country and product, suggests ways to reduce those risks, and points to further sources of information. The tool supports implementation of the OECD Guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

The CSR Risk Check is currently available in English, German and French.

2030 Agenda Business Toolkit

The 2030 Agenda Business Toolkit gives businesses the motivation, support and guidance to move towards greater sustainability. It sets out sustainability objectives by sector, concrete measures, practical examples, and an overview of the main tools, standards and support available.

Logib self-assessment tool

The private sector has a key role to play in promoting gender equality. Since 1 July 2020, Swiss companies with at least 100 employees have been required to carry out regular equal pay analyses. To facilitate this, the Confederation has produced Logib – a free self-assessment tool that allows any company with at least 50 employees to check its pay practices and identify potential inequalities. Detailed instructions and a FAQ accompany the software.

Standards and labels support tool

The StandardsMap database, a free online resource from the International Trade Centre (ITC), maps and compares the main sustainability standards, frameworks and voluntary initiatives. It helps businesses identify relevant standards for their sector and target markets, supporting their compliance and continuous improvement.

Due diligence procedure in tourism

The Roundtable on Human Rights in Tourism has developed a free online tool for businesses in the tourism sector to assess their human rights impacts across their value chain. Practical and interactive, it helps businesses – particularly SMEs – identify, anticipate and respond to potential human rights impacts and gain an overview of human rights risks in their value chain.

Self-assessment tool to eliminate and prevent child labour

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has developed a mobile app that enables employers and inspectors to create interactive checklists to help prevent child labour. The app provides guidance on implementing measures.

Business support

ILO Helpdesk

The ILO Helpdesk for Business helps company management and employees align their operations more closely with international labour standards and maintain good labour relations. Specific queries on applying principles of international labour standards in company operations can be directly submitted by email to assistance@ilo.org or by calling +41 (0)22 799 62 64 (fax +41 (0)22 799 63 54). This free and confidential service is also aimed at government agencies, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and other interested organisations. Responses are prepared by a team of ILO experts and draw on ILO normative instruments, policy documents and tools.

OHCHR Helpdesk

The OHCR Business and Human Rights Helpdesk supports businesses and practitioners seeking to integrate human rights into their operations and due diligence processes. It provides practical advice, resources and expertise grounded in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, helping organisations prevent and manage human rights risks.

National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

The National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises promotes observance of the Guidelines and discusses with interested parties any issues arising under them, including human rights, and so helps to resolve any problems raised. The NCP's primary role is mediation; it also works proactively to prevent responsible business conduct issues from arising. (lien vers NCP)

International standards

UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights are internationally recognized and clarify the complementary roles of States and business enterprises in protecting and respecting human rights in economic activities.

The Interpretive Guide on the Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights aims to provide additional background explanation to the Guiding Principles to support a full understanding of their meaning and intent. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also provides many resources on Business and human rights.

OECD publications for multinational enterprises

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct cover a broad range of subjects including human rights, working conditions, the environment and anti-corruption. They set out principles and standards for responsible business conduct. The OECD Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct provide businesses with practical recommendations on due diligence in value chains.

Responsible business brochure

The brochure Responsible Business: Key Messages from International Instruments gives an overview of the individual functions and shared elements of three central responsible business instruments: the UN Guiding Principles, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the ILO's MNE Declaration. It explains how these instruments support businesses in implementing responsible business practices.

Other international standards

A number of institutions have developed international instruments in this area, including UN Global Compact (available in French only), ISO 26000 on social responsibility, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (available in French only).

Related topics

Contacts

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs
Labour Directorate
International Labour Affairs
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern

State Secretariat FDFA
Peace and Human Rights Division
Human Rights Diplomacy Section
Effingerstrasse 27
CH - 3003 Bern

Info.nap-bhr@seco.admin.ch