BIC Consolidated's Commitment through the UN Global Compact Accelerator
Clea Vazquez - Head of Risk Management
At BIC Consolidated, our approach to risk management transcends traditional compliance; it's about proactively identifying and mitigating risks that could impact our stakeholders. Participating in the UN Global Compact Business & Human Rights Accelerator was a strategic decision to fortify our human rights due diligence processes.
This six-month program provided us with the tools to assess and address human rights risks across our operations and supply chains. By reviewing and strengthening our alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we have assessed our salient human rights issues and are now positioned to implement additional and improve ongoing projects, focused on controlling risk to people, in BIC Consolidated and our supply chain.
The Accelerator also prepared us for evolving human rights due diligence legislation, such as the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which mandates companies to assess and address human rights and environmental impacts. By participating in this program, we are not only enhancing our risk management framework but also positioning BIC Consolidated as a leader in responsible business practices.
Laurie Minto, General Manager - ESG
From an ESG perspective, the Accelerator was instrumental in further embedding human rights into our sustainability strategy. It reinforced the importance of respecting human rights as a fundamental aspect of responsible business conduct, observing the cleaning industry is identified as high risk for human rights abuses.
Through the program, we identified our salient human rights issues and developed an actionable Human Rights Action Plan. This plan aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, ensuring that we respect and protect human rights across our operations and supply chains.
The Accelerator also facilitated stakeholder engagement, allowing us to collaborate with peers and experts to share best practices and learnings. This collaborative approach is essential in driving continuous improvement and fostering a culture of respect for human rights within our organisation.
Why the UNGC Accelerator matters
The Business & Human Rights Accelerator is a six-month program designed to help companies move from commitment to action on human rights and labour rights. It provides a structured approach to:
- Identifying responsibilities in respecting human rights and labour rights, as outlined in the International Bill of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
- Establishing an ongoing human rights due diligence (HRDD) process in line with international standards.
- Preparing organisations for evolving human rights due diligence legislation aligned with international standards.
- Reporting and communicating on human rights due diligence outcomes, including through the Communication on Progress, the annual public disclosure requirement for all UN Global Compact participants.
- Connecting human rights and the human rights due diligence process with social sustainability initiatives.
- Engaging stakeholders on operational impacts on people.
- Developing a network of peers, UNGC partners, and experts to support the human rights journey and work collectively to tackle persistent barriers to human rights due diligence.
The impact on our communities, business, and customers
For communities
- Safer and more inclusive environments, thanks to early identification and prevention of risks.
- Empowerment through grievance channels, giving people a fair voice.
- Stronger partnerships, built on transparency and respect.
For our business
- Proactive risk management, identifying vulnerabilities across our supply chain.
- Employee pride and engagement, reinforcing BIC Consolidated’s as a valuesdriven place to work.
- Compliance and readiness for future human rights legislation globally.
- Global peer networks, keeping us at the forefront of ESG best practice.
For customers and partners
- Trust through transparency, showing exactly how we uphold responsible business.
- Alignment with international standards, strengthening supply chain integrity.
- Enhanced brand value, demonstrating that BIC Consolidated delivers not just services, but principles in action.
Looking ahead
This milestone is just the beginning. Over the next year, we will:
- Embed our Human Rights Action Plan into every function, from procurement to operations.
- Train our teams and suppliers to ensure alignment with our commitments.
- Report transparently on progress through our UNGC Communication on Progress.
- Champion leadership in ESG, encouraging others in our industry to follow suit.
Final thoughts
For both of us, completing the UN Global Compact Business & Human Rights Accelerator marks a proud moment, but more importantly, it sets the stage for lasting change.
At BIC Consolidated, we believe respecting and protecting human rights is not negotiable. This certification reinforces that belief and ensures our customers, communities, and partners know we are ready to back up our values with action.
We’re excited to continue building a future where responsible business is simply business as usual.