Unilever launches new RPP focusing on respecting human rights

11 / 12 / 2022

By Marwa Nassar - -

Unilever has launched a new Responsible Partner Policy (RPP). This brings together our two existing policies to create a single policy which outlines our commitment to responsible business with respect for human rights as its foundation, particularly in the context of modern-day challenges for society and our planet.

Chief Procurement Officer Willem Uijen explains “These are really the minimum standards we expect of our business partners and, alone, they won’t be enough to generate the meaningful transformation we seek. That’s why our RPP also encourages the development of leading practices – novel, scalable solutions – that can generate new levels of positive change in society.”

One of the fundamental principles of the RPP is for all workers to be paid fair wages. As part of this, the company wants to see partners paying a living wage, so it has made doing so a ‘Future Mandatory Requirement’ which it expects its partners to prepare for.

As a business, Unilever has committed to ensuring everyone who directly provides goods and services to Unilever will earn at least a living wage or a living income by 2030.

To support and track partner efforts, Unilever launched the Living Wage/Living Income Promise in 2021, through which it shares its own living wage journey and offer guidance to those intent on joining its efforts to improving lives and livelihoods and strengthening business resilience.

Similarly, Unilever’s Supplier Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Promise invites partners to demonstrate that addressing the social inequality in its value chains is of paramount importance to them.

Respect for human rights underpins all Unilever’s Compass goals. Whether it is committing to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, reducing waste, or improving health and wellbeing, it’s all driven by a respect for human rights.