Which international standards impact businesses & children’s rights?

Some of the key international standards and guidelines include:

United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs): While not specific to children’s rights, the UNGPs provide a comprehensive framework for businesses to respect human rights, including those of children. The UNGPs emphasise the corporate responsibility to “know and show” that they are not causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts, which includes impacts on children. Also worth noting is that the UNGPs also outline the responsibility to include perspectives of “vulnerable groups” in which children are included.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): The CRC is the most important international treaty specifically focused on children’s rights. It outlines a comprehensive set of rights for children and provides a framework for governments to protect and promote these rights. Businesses are expected to respect and support these rights.

General Comments to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): The General Comments provide detailed insights into the specific obligations of states under the CRC, aiming to facilitate a more effective implementation of the Convention. These Comments are essential for elucidating complex aspects of children’s rights and ensuring their comprehensive protection across various issues.

One significant General Comment is GC16, which focuses on state obligations concerning the impact of the business sector on children’s rights.

GC25 addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities presented by the digital environment on children’s rights.

GC26 is particularly critical, as it explores the interconnections between children’s rights and the environment, emphasising a special focus on climate change. Comments collectively serve as a vital framework for states and businesses alike, guiding them towards practices that uphold and prioritise children’s rights in various contexts.

Children’s Rights and Business Principles (CRBP): Developed by Save the Children, the UN Global Compact, and UNICEF, these principles guide businesses on how to respect and support children’s rights. They are based on the CRC and offer a framework for integrating children’s rights into business policies and practices. They also serve as a practical application of children’s rights to the UNPGs, which are not explicit.

International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions: Several ILO conventions address child labour and related issues. Notably, no. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, and no. 138 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, provide guidance on child labour prevention and the minimum age for work.

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises: These guidelines provide recommendations for responsible business conduct, including the treatment of children in the context of business operations. They encourage businesses to address child labour, contribute to children’s well-being, and engage stakeholders in their efforts.

ISO 26000 – Guidance on Social Responsibility: The International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) provides guidance on social responsibility, which includes considerations for the well-being of children. ISO 26000 offers a framework for businesses to integrate social responsibility principles, including children’s rights, into their operations and strategies.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The SDGs, particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), are relevant to children’s rights and business. Businesses are encouraged to align their activities with the SDGs to contribute to children’s and society’s well-being. Also relevant is SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages and emphasises preventing malnutrition, reducing child mortality, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

UN Global Compact 10 Principles: The UN Global Compact outlines 10 Principles that guide businesses on crucial aspects of responsible business behaviour, including human rights, labour standards, environmental practices, and anti-corruption measures. Specifically, as it pertains to children’s rights and child labour, Principles 1 and 5 are particularly relevant. Principle 1 urges businesses to support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights, which inherently includes the rights of children. Principle 5 focuses more directly on labour issues and calls for businesses to uphold the effective abolition of child labour and take proactive steps to ensure children are not exploited in the workforce, aligning with international standards such as the ILO’s conventions on the minimum age for employment and the worst forms of child labour.

National Laws and Regulations: Businesses must also consider and comply with national and local laws and regulations related to children’s rights, including those governing child labour, education, and child protection.

Businesses must integrate these international standards and guidelines into their policies, due diligence processes, and sustainability initiatives. Furthermore, collaboration with stakeholders (i.e., industry organisations, peers, experts, NGOs, governments, and youth themselves) and regular reporting on efforts to respect and promote children’s rights are key to demonstrating commitment to these principles.

In our benchmark, we examine a company’s commitment to international standards and frameworks that explicitly focus on respect or support for children’s rights, such as the Children’s Rights and Business Principles; UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; ILO Convention 138 (Minimum Age Convention – Effective Abolition of Child Labor); ILO Convention 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention); UN Global Compact 10 Principles, UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights; OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; and UN Sustainable Development Goals/Global Goals for Sustainable Development.