Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) agreements

Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile

This Agreement sets out what Dutch garment and textile companies have agreed with civil society organisations, trade unions and government. The agreements are designed to ensure that international textile companies do business in a way that is fair, sustainable and safe and respects the environment and animal welfare. They also provide that participating companies must stop using child labour.  The Agreement offers support to trade union members who face intimidation by employers.

See the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile on the website of the Social and Economic Council (SER).

Dutch Banking Sector Agreement

The Agreement sets out what Dutch banks have agreed with civil society organisations, trade unions and government. It should ensure that these companies address and avoid violations of human rights, in particular violations that affect working conditions, trade union rights, child labour and land rights.

See the Dutch Banking Sector Agreement on the SER website.

Agreement to Promote Sustainable Forestry

The Agreement to Promote Sustainable Forestry sets out what government has agreed with companies in the timber industry, trade associations, civil society organisations and trade unions. Its aims include ensuring that all softwood sold in the Netherlands in 2020 is sustainably produced. Other agreements include research into the relationship between Dutch sustainable wood certification and CSR guidelines, and efforts to raise demand for wood that can be verified as sustainable. Sustainably managed forests contribute to local economic development and help in tackling climate change and maintaining biodiversity.

See the Agreement to Promote Sustainable Forestry on the SER website.

Responsible Gold Agreement

The Responsible Gold Agreement sets out what companies and trade associations in the Dutch gold sector have agreed with civil society organisations, trade unions and government. It is aimed at ensuring greater respect for human rights, the environment and biodiversity in the gold value chain. Companies in the Dutch gold sector will do all they can to purchase gold from responsible sources. Jewellers and goldsmiths will inform their customers more fully on the origin of their gold. As the proceeds of gold production are used to fund violent conflicts in some countries, the parties to the agreement have committed to eliminating these risks.

See the Responsible Gold Agreement on the SER website.

Agreement for the Food Products Sector

The Food Products Sector Agreement sets out what companies in the Dutch food products sector have agreed with civil society organisations, trade unions and government. The sector’s trade associations have committed to ensuring that all their members identify and address the risks mentioned. The parties to the agreement have stated their intention to initiate joint projects on living wage and climate issues in the first year.

See the Agreement for the Food Products Sector on the SER website.

Agreement for international responsible investment in the insurance sector

Trade associations in the insurance sector, civil society organisations, trade unions and the Dutch government have signed the agreement on international responsible investment in the insurance sector. The agreement helps deepen understanding of the international supply chain and thus makes it possible to prevent and tackle human rights violations, environmental damage and animal suffering. Insurers are expected to carry out an effective assessment of the risks and where necessary to adjust their policy accordingly.

See the Agreement for international responsible investment in the insurance sector on the SER website.

Agreement for the Pension Funds

Dutch pension funds, the Federation of the Dutch Pension Funds, civil society organisations, trade unions and the Dutch government have signed a Responsible Business Conduct Agreement on responsible investment by pension funds. This agreement helps pension funds gain a clearer picture of the international investment chain and thus makes it possible to prevent or tackle human rights violations and environmental damage.

See the Agreement for the Pension Funds on the SER website.

RBC TruStone Initiative

The RBC agreement in the natural stone sector is known as the TruStone Initiative. It sets out commitments made by the sector to improve social, working and environmental conditions, and is aimed at bringing about substantial improvements in Asia, Africa and Latin America in the next 3 to 5 years. The agreement is a joint initiative by Dutch and Flemish parties.

See the TruStone Initiative on the SER website.

RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector

The RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector sets out what companies in the Dutch metals sector have agreed with civil society organisations, trade unions and government with the aim of combating human rights and environmental risks in the metals sector. The parties to the agreement have committed to tackling these risks both individually and collectively. The agreements are based on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and will contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals

See the RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector on the SER website.

Promoting RBC through RBC agreements

The Dutch government seeks to promote responsible business conducted in line with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. To this end it aims to conclude agreements on responsible business conduct with 13 Dutch industries and civil society organisations. The agreements set out the risks to avoid in terms of human rights, working conditions and the environment. To date 9 agreements have been concluded.

For additional information see Promoting Responsible Business Conduct (RBC).