New Publication: From Principles to Practice: The Role of SA8000 in Implementing the UN Global Compact

SAI, CIPE, and the UN Global Compact Publication Profiles Six Companies' Work with SA8000 & the UNGC to Achieve Decent Working Conditions

June 24, 2010

From Principles to Practice
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SAI Press Release
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On June 24, at the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Leaders Summit 2010, SAI, in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and the UNGC, launched a joint publication: "From Principles to Practice: The Role of SA8000 in Implementing the UN Global Compact." This publication features six case studies of companies from around the world that use SA8000 as a tool to meet their UNGC commitments.

"The experiences of these companies show that SA8000 certification works effectively as a tool to report on and meet their Global Compact commitments,' said Eileen Kohl Kaufman, executive director of SAI.

Companies profiled in this are: Beraca (Brazil), Rosy Blue Diamond (Thailand), Sabaf (Italy), TDE (Bolivia), TNT Express (Argentina), and Yesim (Turkey).  They are medium-sized enterprises by international standards (TNT Argentina, Rosy Blue Diamond, and TDE are subsidiaries of larger global companies), in diverse industries: apparel, appliance controls, chemicals, electrical transmission, jewelry, and transportation.  Through participation in the UNGC and SA8000 certification they illustrate that businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions can move from ideas and statements to action. 

"Since 2000, the UNGC initiative has encouraged business to commit to ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption," said John D. Sullivan, CIPE's executive director.  "Our joint publication highlights successful examples of how good corporate citizenship can be an integral part of business strategy and operations and help improve the business climate around the world."
 
These case studies illustrate the usefulness of voluntary standards in advancing all aspects of good corporate citizenship in a variety of business ventures and environments.  They also provide a strong case for the business benefits of responsible conduct in terms of improved sales, employee satisfaction, community relations, as well as brand and industry reputation.  In the words of Mike Patrick, Director of Corporate Responsibility at TNT Express, "The challenge in this century is to recognize those that integrate social and environmental demands with the demands of business and influence others in the process."

For more information about this case study, email Joleen Ong, JOng@sa-intl.org

Contents:

Introduction

Beraca: Integrating Sustainability into Strategic Planning

Rosy Blue: Local Compliance and Global Cooperation

Sabaf: Integrating Values into International Business Operations

TDE: Advancing Responsible Business Practices into the Energy Sector

TNT Express Argentina: Pioneering a Socially Responsible Business Delivers Results

Yesim Tekstil: Systematic Approach to Responsible Business in a Global Marketplace

Annex 1: The UN Global Compact Principles for Labor

Annex 2: The SA8000 Certification Standard  

Links:

The UN Global Compact

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)

CIPE's Development Blog - Corporate Citizenship