Business and Human Rights

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on ethics, human rights and corporate social responsibility.

Parts of the Norwegian business community must take into account the Transparency Act and a number of requirements that, among other things, follow from the UN's Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights (UNGP) and the OECD's guidelines for multinational companies.

The Transparency Act imposes a responsibility on larger enterprises to respect fundamental human rights and decent working conditions. The Act entail, among other things, requirements for the preparation of routines, risk assessments, investigations and assessments of the entire supply chain of businesses, as well as the establishment of risk mitigation measures. Lack of compliance can lead to loss of reputation and administrative reactions from the Norwegian Consumer Authority. The Transparency Act applies to large enterprises, but will also have significance for suppliers and partners of large enterprises.

The Transparency Act's rules on human rights responsibility 

The Transparency Act shall promote businesses' respect for fundamental human rights and decent working conditions in connection with the production of goods and the provision of services, and ensure the general public information about these conditions. Businesses must, among other things, carry out due diligence assessments, which involve mapping and assessing actual and potential negative consequences for fundamental human rights and decent working conditions.

Read more about enterprises that are subject to duties in the Act and the requirements that are set, in our blog post about the Transparency Act →