The Transparency Act
SCAN-SHIPPING AND THE TRANSPARENCY ACT
The Transparency Act came into force in Norway on 1 July 2022, and requires larger businesses to publish their work to prevent violations of human rights and decent working conditions every year. The due diligence assessments must cover both the company’s own business, but also supply chains and business partners.
Due diligence assessments mean that the company must map, assess, prevent and limit possible negative impact on basic human rights and decent work, in line with OECD guidelines. All OECD member countries are committed to follow these guidelines, which generally mean that companies are expected to act in line with local laws and norms. They must assess, prevent and deal with violations of human rights and labor rights, environmental damage and bribery as a result of both their own activities, as well as for suppliers and other business relationships.
Scan-Shipping Bergen AS works systematically to prepare due diligence assessments for our own company, and collects corresponding information from suppliers and partners in the entire value chain. Due diligence assessments are published annually on our website. Anyone who wants further information or insight into how we work with due diligence assessments is welcome to get in touch.
Scan-Shipping Bergen’s operations are in line with the UN Principles for Business and Human Rights (UNGP). These are concretized in 10 principles in the UN Global Compact (UNGC). When Secretary-General Kofi Annan initiated the creation of the Global Compact in 1999, he stated:
“Forward-oriented companies do not need to wait for government regulations to do what is right”.
This is a guideline we have chosen to follow in Scan-Shipping Bergen AS.
The UNGC is incorporated into the OECD’s guidelines for due diligence assessments.
Taking responsibility
Scan-Shipping Bergen’s operations are in line with the UN Principles for Business and Human Rights (UNGP).
UNGC's 10 principles:
Human rights
1. Companies should support and respect the protection of internationally declared human rights, and
2. ensure that they are not complicit in human rights violations.
Work
3. Companies should maintain freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining,
4. elimination of all forms of forced labor and forced labour,
5. effective abolition of child labour, and
6. elimination of discrimination with regard to work and profession.
Environment
7. Companies should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges,
8. take initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility, and
9. encourage the development and spread of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-corruption
10. Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
