Objective · HR01
Concept HR Ethical Materials Procurement
Implement ethical sourcing practices to protect, promote, and advance human rights in the materials supply chain.
4 activities
Ethical Materials Procurement stresses prioritizing the ethical provenance of sourced materials. Every material choice carries a history of production, transportation, and labor. It's essential to strive to ensure that this history is free from human rights violations, such as forced labor, child labor, and unsafe working conditions. This objective goes beyond compliance with regulations, which are increasing globally, but actively seeks materials promoting fair labor practices and respect for human rights.
Design for Freedom by Grace Farms states, “The complexity and the sheer number of unique raw and composite materials per building make it nearly impossible to purchase slave-free materials. But a growing list of risky raw and composite materials and global “hot spots” can provide direction to help make ethical decisions113.”
By emphasizing the specification of ethical materials, the industry takes a proactive stance in reducing human rights abuses in the supply chain. The industry can then engage in corrective actions when discrepancies or violations are identified. The Activities supporting this objective aim to create built environments that are symbols of progress and ethical integrity rather than physical structures built on the suffering of others.
Activities
- HRa1.1
Owner shall proactively specify ethical materials in design and planning documents
ImpactThe Owner shall establish a governance framework for ethical procurement, including the adoption of a Socially Sustainable Procurement Policy, integration of Ethical Design Requirements, and procurement of slave-free materials to promote ethical sourcing. This activity encompasses continuous monitoring, training, and regular supplier evaluations. Direct management of Supplier internal operations are outside the scope of this Activity.
- HRa1.2
Conduct a supply chain risk assessment and action plan
ImpactThe Owner shall thoroughly assess its highest risks within the supply chain to identify, prevent, and mitigate negative human rights impacts. The process shall include assessing actual and potential human rights impacts (e.g., forced labor, child labor, or unsafe working conditions), prioritization of risks based on severity and attribution, creating an action plan based upon the findings, and creating a mechanism for tracking responses. Implementation of the action plan is outside the scope of this Activity.
- HRa1.3
Ethical sourcing of products and materials
ImpactThe Owner shall strive to source products and materials used in construction and/or operations and maintenance that are free from human rights violations such as forced labor, child labor, and unsafe working conditions. Based on the previously conducted risk assessment, the Owner shall enact the established action plan to address identified high-priority human rights risks. A mechanism for tracking responses and compliance shall be instituted. Ongoing adjustments of the action plan are outside the scope of this Activity.
- HRa1.4
Owner shall remediate materials procurement negative impacts to human rights
ImpactThe Owner shall provide for or cooperate in the remediation of negative human rights impacts during materials procurement where the Project caused, contributed, or is linked to that could not be prevented or mitigated through defined actionable steps. The aim is to neutralize past negative effects through remediation and restoration, not just halting future negative impacts. This activity is confined to the project and not the broader organizational operations.