Where companies have not fulfilled their commitments, or where there have been adverse human rights or environmental impacts associated with their operations, supply chains, or financial investments, they provide for or cooperate in the remediation of such harms.
This Principle applies to all companies. Roles in providing for or cooperating in remediation may differ depending on the company’s position in the supply chain and its ownership or management role(s) in the operations triggering the need for remedy.
9.1 The company provides for or cooperates in providing fair and just remedy in the case of adverse impacts to human rights. It also provides for or cooperates in providing effective environmental restoration and/or compensation commensurate with the values lost in the case of deforestation, conversion, and associated environmental impacts. The appropriate remedy and respective obligations of different supply chain actors depend on context and follow credible approaches in line with the Operational Guidance on Remediation and Access to Remedy and Operational Guidance on Environmental Restoration and Compensation.
9.2 The company does not divest its interests in land until either: i) outstanding grievances are fully resolved, or ii) obligations have been legally transferred to another party (eg, the new owner).
9.3 Where remedy is needed in relation to purchased materials, the buyer works with its suppliers to ensure that such remedy is provided, monitor progress, and provide support where needed. If suitable remedy or progress is not achieved, then the buyer acts in line with the Operational Guidance on Supply Chain Management to: i) further engage the supplier to achieve suitable remedy; and/or ii) suspend purchasing or exclude the supplier, if warranted.
Additional detail related to Core Principle 9 is available in the following Operational Guidance: