News

On Wednesday 22 May, a group of 20 participants of the pilot project on sustainable procurement (MVI) natural stone visited the Carrières du Hainaut quarry in Wallonia. The quarry is one of the largest in Europe. Hard stone is extracted, which is largely used for public space in the Netherlands and Flanders.

The directors of all participating parties to the International RBC-agreement in the Insurance sector met in May to discuss the progress of the agreement. Topics that were discussed included progress within various working groups, the climate change and some practical cases.

Parties within the Dutch Banking Sector Agreement publish a paper on enabling remediation. The paper explores the role and responsibility of banks with regard to remedy, when connected to human rights impacts through client relationships. It summarizes the most important points of conversation, consensus and broadly shared insights and diverging perspectives where parties were unable to reach consensus.

Which issues do companies in the food sector face when they start due diligence? How can parties within the agreement help companies to manage the risks in their international value chain? At the inspiration session of the IRBC Agreement for the Food Product sector on May 21 in Utrecht, practice played a central role.

Stakeholders in the metals sector are joining forces to advocate for and stimulate international responsible business conduct (IRBC) in the sector. Companies, industry associations, government, trade unions and civil society organisations will sign the ‘International RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector: Delivering Responsible Metals Supply Chains Together’ on 23 May.

On 23 May, participants in the TruStone Initiative and the pilot projects on socially responsible procurement of natural stone met with Indian partners from the NGOs Arisa and Coalitie Stop Child Labour.

On May 9th, the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textiles, Solidaridad and Modint organized a workshop on sustainable materials for companies and other parties to the Agreement.

On Tuesday May 14th, the Dutch Senate adopted a child labour due diligence bill (initiatiefwetsvoorstel zorgplicht kinderarbeid). The bill asks companies to declare that they are taking the necessary steps to prevent child labour.

Parties in the Agreement in the insurance sector have jointly worked out a first case for international responsible investment (IMVO). During the session, a practical case study was conducted to discuss the positive impact that Dutch insurers can make in an international sector.

The Dutch and Flemish natural stone industry, the Dutch and Flemish governments, NGOs and trade unions have agreed to work together towards more responsible production and procurement of natural stone. The ‘IRBC TruStone Initiative’ came about after extensive discussions led by the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands.