Human Rights

A. P. Moller – Maersk respects the human rights of everyone affected by our business. We take constant care to avoid causing or contributing to adverse impacts on people – whether in our own company, in our supply chain or in the communities where we operate.

The issue

Human rights are a precondition for freedom and dignity for people, for rule of law and for inclusive and sustainable growth on which we depend as a business. Respect for human rights is rooted in our values and key to our license to operate from employees, customers, investors, communities, governments and other stakeholders.

National reporting requirements related to human rights are generally on the rise. As a company with a global presence, we support effective and balanced regulation that promotes a global level playing field for responsible business.

How we work with human rights

In every country where we operate, whether high or low risk, conflict-affected or not, our goal is to ensure that we do not have adverse impact on human rights. Our commitment to human rights is expressed through our status as a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact - where we annually and publicly report on our progress in our Communication on Progress (COP) - and by our acknowledgment of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Our human rights commitment is integrated in the Maersk Employee Code of Conduct. Beyond that, our approach is to integrate human rights risk management and due diligence into existing business processes, working in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

In areas where we are at risk of causing, contributing or being linked to adverse impacts on human rights, we have mainstreamed human rights due diligence into key business processes for responsible business practices.

There are many aspects of our business that touch on human rights. The following areas of our business touch on human rights:

• Satefy: The right to life and the right to the highest attainable standard of health.
• Employee relations: Human rights principles and standards are related to labour, for example freedom of association and collective bargaining, equal treatment, child labour, forced labour, working hours, compensation, privacy, rest and leisure.
• Diversity and inclusion: The right to freedom from discrimination and the right to family life.
• Responsible procurement: Human rights principles and standards related to labour, see examples above.
• Ship recycling: Human rights principles and standards related to labour, in particular the right to life and the right to the highest attainable standard of health.
• Air emissions: The right to the highest attainable standard of health.

Mandatory reporting on human rights

National reporting requirements related to human rights are generally on the rise. As a company with a global presence, we support effective and balanced regulation that promotes a global level playing field for responsible business. Under the Danish Financial Statements Act, A.P. Moller-Maersk is required to report annually on our policies, risks and due diligence related to human rights. This reporting is contained in our annual sustainability report. In addition we publish an annual statement in accordance with the United Kingdom Modern Slavery Act.

Learn more about 2019 progress.