We help businesses identify human rights risks within their partners and use their leverage to take action.

ASSESS HUMAN RIGHTS TRACK RECORD

Businesses have a responsibility to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts that are directly linked to their operations through their business relationships. Drawing on approaches from our industry-leading business intelligence practice, we evaluate the human rights track record of prospective and current business partners (such as acquisition targets, suppliers, customers and joint venture partners) to identify risks, propose mitigating actions and plan engagement strategies.

Access to Information

Businesses often lack detailed information on their third parties’ internal policies and procedures. They may want or need to conduct an “outside-in” assessment using publicly available information. We build a nuanced picture of the third-party’s track record without requiring inside access. Our approach combines deep public record research, analysis of publicly available policies, and conversations with local country and sector experts as well as contacts in the human rights, NGO and activist space.

Pre-Transaction

Before a new relationship, businesses need to know what they are getting into. Our analysis helps businesses identify “red flags” relating to human rights and potential gaps in policies. We identify, contextualise and prioritise risks, based on the country context and international frameworks, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights and the IFC’s Environmental and Social Performance Standards. We provide standalone reports or can combine this with integrity due diligence and broader ESG analysis.

during the relationship

We make actionable recommendations for how to mitigate identified human rights risks, focused on engaging with the business partner to understand their policies and identify areas for improvement. We also provide ongoing support, monitoring third-party activities in high-risk sectors and existing human rights issues, and providing regular updates and guidance on engagement strategy.