In this blog, you’ll learn more about the B Corp topic Human Rights - with practical examples and concrete ways to get started within your own organisation today.
When we talk about sustainability, the conversation often centres on numbers and materials: less CO₂, less waste, more circularity. But behind every product and service are people. People you don’t always see, but who determine whether your company is truly built for the future. That’s why in the new B Corp standards, this topic has its own spotlight: Human Rights in the Supply Chain.
This isn’t about your own employees – that falls under Fair Work. Human Rights is about everyone indirectly connected to your business: suppliers, subcontractors, and the communities affected by your activities. It’s about questions like: Are people treated safely? Do they earn a fair wage? Do they have access to basic needs?
More and more companies realise that human rights aren’t something to deal with “later.” Legislation such as the upcoming European CSDDD will soon require organisations to map and manage risks across their supply chain. Customers and investors are explicitly asking for proof of responsible sourcing. And media incidents show how quickly reputations can crumble when abuses are exposed.
But there’s also a bright side. Companies that start early build stronger supplier relationships, gain better control over their supply chain, and earn trust from customers and employees. It’s not just about avoiding harm – it’s about creating value: strengthening your brand and showing that you’re part of the solution.
For manufacturing companies, risks are often more visible. Raw materials are mined, processed, and shipped – and every link can carry vulnerabilities: child labour, forced labour, extremely low wages, or communities losing access to land or water. Companies that take responsibility here often see improved supplier relationships and higher product quality.
For service providers, the link can be less tangible but just as real. Think about outsourced services such as cleaning or security – how are those working conditions managed? Or consider digital rights: how do you protect user data and privacy? These are also human rights issues, even if the supply chain looks less physical.
So the question isn’t if you should start working on human rights, but how. And that’s where many companies get stuck. How do you make something this big practical?
A short statement saying that your company respects human rights, linked to international frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles. It doesn’t have to be a long report; it’s a signal, internally and externally: this is what we stand for.
What are the main risks in your value chain? For manufacturers, often in raw materials or production sites in high-risk regions; for service companies, more likely in subcontracted work or data handling. You don’t have to do it all at once; start where harm is most likely.
Don’t just set requirements for suppliers, but help them improve. Offer joint trainings, share knowledge, or invest together in better practices. And make sure people in your supply chain can speak up. A grievance mechanism doesn’t have to sound heavy, but it can be a simple online tool, a trusted contact at a local partner, or a periodic anonymous survey.
Share not only what’s going well, but also where you’re still learning. Transparency builds trust – especially when you show progress and a willingness to improve.
This is exactly where NEWKINDS comes in. We make sustainability tangible with strategy, workshops, tools, and real-world cases you can apply right away.
In just 30 minutes, we walk you through the basics of responsible supply chains, including human rights in this video. A great way to get your team on board and create a shared language.
In just 30 minutes, we walk you through the basics of responsible supply chains, including human rights in this video. A great way to get your team on board and create a shared language.
This tool helps you understand how your own purchasing practices either support or undermine human rights, empowering you to make fairer decisions in contracts and negotiations.
Take Dille & Kamille, where we supported supply chain mapping, risk assessment, and tangible improvement actions. It’s proof that this isn’t an academic exercise – it’s something you can start doing today.
This mix of knowledge, practical experience, and hands-on tools helps turn human rights from a “compliance box” into a real opportunity.
Closer to home, ISS Facility Services runs active programmes to ensure fair working conditions and inclusive workplaces for cleaners and security staff — making a visible difference for often-vulnerable workers.
After the Rana Plaza disaster, several brands began investing in safety and transparency. Patagonia and Armed Angels, for instance, build long-term partnerships and publish supplier lists, allowing customers to see where their clothes are made. Transparency and collaboration, instead of price pressure, make the difference.
The cocoa sector has long struggled with child labour and low farmer incomes. Tony’s Chocolonely shows it can be done differently: traceability, direct relationships with cooperatives, and paying a living income. They not only invest in their own suppliers, but with Tony’s Open Chain, they also motivate competitors and partners to follow their example.
You don’t need to do everything at once. Start small:
Human rights in the supply chain aren’t just a tick in a checklist. They reflect a mindset, recognising that your company is part of something bigger. The choices you make ripple outward, sometimes near, sometimes far.
And that’s exactly where the opportunity lies. Companies that dare to look, learn, and improve don’t just build a better world – they build a better version of themselves. More resilient. More trusted. More human.
The foundation of a future-proof company isn’t just circular or carbon-neutral. It’s also humane.
Want to read more about the B Corp pillar Human Rights?
→ Check out this link to B Lab’s official page.
Curious about the other B Corp pillars?
→ Explore more NEWKINDS blogs here.
