A company’s commitment to respecting human rights should be reflected in a statement of policy. The process of developing such a policy commitment is likely to involve planning and consultation; it creates an opportunity to build internal understanding of the company’s responsibility and is therefore about more than merely getting words on paper. A policy commitment should explain how the company understands its responsibility to respect human rights. It is a way for the company to set clear expectations and provide guidance for those who need to adhere to or implement the policy, such as the company’s own workforce, its suppliers and other business partners. It should be approved at the highest levels of the organization to signal the seriousness of the commitment.

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