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See also sections of this website entitled "Company statements of policy on human rights","Environment / Human rights" and "Links - Business organisations" and "Links - Corporate responsibility organisations".

Banks in drive for project principles - The drive by Citigroup and large European providers of project finance in emerging markets to obtain industry-wide adherence to the International Finance Corporation's social and environmental guidelines may increase pressure on export credit agencies to do the same..."In the past, the US Export-Import bank has taken the lead on environmental standards and issues of transparency," said John Sohn, an expert on export credit agencies at Friends of the Earth...The impetus behind the US lead was in part due to financing of the controversial Three Gorges dam in China in 1996. The US Export-Import bank decided not to finance the project...Non-US ECAs, such as Germany's Hermes and Export Development Canada, less constrained by environmental standards, provided some finance for the dam. In an attempt to create a level playing field, the US Export-Import Bank began promoting within the OECD the concept of common and transparent environmental standards but its moves have generally been met with resistance. (Demetri Sevastopulos, Financial Times, 9 Apr. 2003)

• Four banks adopt IFC agreement - At least four European and US banks plan to adopt the International Finance Corporation's social and environmental guidelines for project finance in emerging markets, a clear signal that banks are awakening to the risks of socially irresponsible investing. ABN Amro, Barclays, Citibank and WestLB, in collaboration with the IFC, the private-sector arm of the World Bank, have drafted an agreement called the "Equator Principles"...Under the agreement, the banks agree to adopt the IFC's social and environmental rules for sustainable development, which include guidelines on issues ranging from environmental assessment and natural habitats to indigenous peoples and child and forced labour. (Demetri Sevastopulo, Financial Times, 6 Apr. 2003)

• Four Banks Adopt Social and Environmental Guidelines for Developing World Projects (Business for Social Responsibility News Monitor summary of article in Financial Times, 7 Apr. 2003)

Canadian Business for Social Responsibility [CBSR] Second Stage of Guidelines for Corporate Social Performance: The CBSR Guidelines for Corporate Social Performance are a set of guidelines that outline what companies can do to become more socially and environmentally responsible. (Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, May 2001)

Caux Round Table Principles for Business:

• introduction 

• english text

• {···français}

• {···español}

• {···other languages} 

Codes of conduct (Centro Nuovo Modello di Sviluppa)

• {···español: Codigos de conducta}

• {···français: Codes de conduite} 

Human rights from the perspective of business and industry - a checklist (NHO / Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry)    [NOTE: when website appears, click "Position papers", then "Human rights from the perspective of business and industry - a checklist"] 

Implementation Of A Worldwide Initiative For An Independent, Ethical Manufacturing Auditing Process - The International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) announces today the start of the implementation of a worldwide initiative for an independent, ethical manufacturing auditing process that will be implemented by toy manufacturers representing more than 95% of toys sold worldwide. (International Council of Toy Industries, 18 Dec. 2002)

International Code of Ethics for Canadian Business 

• International Codes of Ethics: A Canadian Perspective (University of Ottawa Human Rights Research and Education Centre)