On September 20, the first 30 companies and NGOs operating in Poland signed the Charter of Children’s Rights in Business. The official ceremony for signatories was followed by workshops on children’s rights.

The Charter applies to the wide range of activities undertaken by business. It points out the need to protect children’s rights along each and every step of service and product development. Due diligence prioritization covers areas such as marketing and promotion - especially when children’s image unfolds - but also sales and distribution.

The newly published document does not only push enterprises to set requirements for suppliers, contractors and stakeholders but also obliges them to promote good practices. 

The Charter of Children’s Rights in Business has been built up on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct; and Children’s Rights and Business Principles developed by UNICEF, UNGC, and Save the Children.

New European regulations, such as Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, are shedding light on the importance of human rights observation from the business perspective. Specific requirements are being brought up to either fully prevent abuses or mitigate looming risks.

Accordingly, Responsible Business Forum is now acquiring Signatories, providing them with educational materials and making sure submitted rules of the Charter are respected. Practice around the newly-established Charter takes the shape of Diversity Charter’s which has been coordinated by Forum for 11 years now.