Human rights
Compliance with human rights regarding investment and procurement practices, equal treatment, freedom of assembly, right of collective negotiation, abolishment of child labour, abolishment of forced labour, complaints procedure, safety measures and the rights of indigenous people enjoy top priority at EVN.
Already in 2005, EVN committed itself to comply with the UN Global Compact principles and supports unconditional adherence to human rights at all EVN locations. EVN is especially opposed to any form of child and forced labour and expects this from its contract partners and suppliers.
These principles are stipulated in the EVN Code of Conduct and are valid for all employees in all business units. The EVN Code of Conduct is continuously adapted to recent developments, particularly to legal stipulations. Aside from an English version, the Code is also translated into the languages of EVN subsidiaries: Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Russian.
In addition, the integrity clause of the Group-function Procurement obliges suppliers and subcontractors to comply with these rules. The EVN integrity clause is binding for all suppliers (100%) and can be accessed by investors, investment and joint venture partners, subcontractors and stakeholders on EVN’s website. The integrity clause is sent out with each order and tender and is thus always part of the contract. Suppliers are controlled and monitored regarding their compliance of EVN’s integrity clause. In the financial year 2011/12, a special questionnaire was developed for this purpose. The first round of audits did not determine any violations. Compliance with human rights is the responsibility of the Executive Board, supported by the EVN Compliance Officer.
EVN, as an internationally acting company, also operates in countries with a lower level of compliance with human rights questions or may procure services, materials or products through central procurement. In the context of the sensitive area of procurement of textiles (work clothes), risk countries have already been excluded through an internal guideline. This guideline and exclusion practices are gradually being introduced to other product groups, or specific criteria and measures are being implemented going beyond the company‘s integrity clause and/ or enforce it. For instance, coal procurement in Poland and Russia only takes place after EVN has conducted its own research and checks on compliance with human and employment rights and on working and living conditions.
EVN supports the UN Global Compact
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Principle 1: |
EVN supports and respects the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights. |
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Principle 2: |
EVN makes sure that it is not complicit in human rights abuses. |
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Principle 3: |
EVN upholds the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. |
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Principle 4: |
EVN supports the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour. |
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Principle 5: |
EVN supports the effective abolition of child labour. |
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Principle 6: |
EVN supports the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. |
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Principle 7: |
EVN supports a precautionary approach to environmental challenges. |
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Principle 8: |
EVN undertakes many national and international initiatives, to promote greater environmental responsibility. |
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Principle 9: |
EVN encourages the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. |
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Principle 10: |
EVN works against corruption in all its forms. |
- GRI indicator: Investment agreements with human rights clauses (HR1)
- For more information on the EVN Code of Conduct, see www.responsibility.evn.at.
- For the integrity clause, go to www.evn.at/Gruppe/Lieferanten/Beschaffungportal/AGB.aspx.
