Compliance assessment is a process through which companies can analyse whether their policy and practice is in line with human rights norms and principles. A tool, consisting of indicators and questions on human rights, is used for the assessment. The Human Rights Compliance Assessment, including the Country Risk Assessment is an example of such a tool, focused on companies. A compliance assessment helps companies with the (re-) formulation of codes of conduct and with the incorporation of principles of human rights law into its policies. It offers companies a means to monitor, test and report on principles, policy and practice in the field of human rights. A compliance assessment translates the ambitions and responsibilities of companies, based on international norms and guidelines, into measurable goals. The HRCA, including the Quick Check, the CRAs and the CSR Compass (Codex), contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights and towards a worldwide sustainable development.

In 1999, the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) started with the development of the Human Rights Compliance Assessment (HRCA), especially aimed at companies. The aim of the HRCA is to provide understanding of the impact of the policies and the practice of companies on human rights situation. The HRCA provides practical guidelines with suggestions and recommendations to identify and control human rights dilemmas. The HRCA is more extensive than most existing assessments. It is based on international norms and principles in the field of human rights, for example the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which are also described in the UN Global Compact and the OESO Guidelines. Moreover, it is directed not only at the workplace, but also at the broader sphere of influence of the company, for example the production chain or within the community in which it exists.

The HRCA is an interactive tool for companies to map the human rights situation of a company. It demonstrates the social and political risks and problems a company can face and how certain rights can be respected and improved. Besides this, it gives examples of ‘best practices’ regarding specific human rights. The final results of the assessment are quantified in order to easily measure and analyse the improvements. There are several ways to enter the compliance assessment of the HRCA. Read more

Besides the extended HRCA, the Quick Check has been introduced late 2004. The free available Quick Check is a shortened version of the HRCA consisting 28 questions. Therefore, this tool is also an appropriate tool for small and medium seized corporations.

The CRA aims to determine the risks of direct and indirect involvement of business in violations of human rights as a result of ineffective legislation in certain cultural practices in the countries where companies operate. The CRAs give an overview of possible risks for companies to get involved in human rights violations. The results are places in the political, cultural, social and legal context of the country where the company operates or will be operating in future. The CRA offers companies a systematic and profound analyse of the most prominent human rights issues in the country, in combination with practical advice and recommendations to avoid certain human rights violations within the company and in its sphere is influence. At the moment, there are Country Risk Assessments for Algeria, Brazil, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Libia, Tanzania, Ukraine, Vietnam, and South Africa.

The CSR Compass (Codex), until now partly in Danish, offers guidelines for companies to develop policy and monitor systems for their supply chain. The tool includes, for example, a supplier code of conduct, a supplier self-assessment and a supplier code of conduct checklist. The CRA Compass (Codex) is appropriate for small and medium enterprises, but also for multinational companies.

For the Human Rights and Business Capacity Building Project in South Africa, Aim for human rights develops a HRCA tool especially focused on the situation in South Africa and the South African business sector. Several organizations and companies are working together on the realisation of the HRCA for South Africa. The HRCA South Africa will be available from March 2008 onwards. The Human Rights and Business Game (South African version) and the CRA of South Africa, which have both been co-developed by Aim for human rights, are already in use. Read more.

For further information, you can contact Human Rights & Business programme by phone +31 (0) 30 233 40 27 or e-mail.