Corporate human rights due diligence (HRDD) has become a norm of expected conduct. As defined in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), HRDD is a critical part of fulfilling the “corporate responsibility to respect”.  It is a process that all businesses should undertake to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for any violations of human rights they may be responsible for through their operations and commercial partnerships.

This Interpretive Guide on Human Rights Due Diligence: (‘interpretative guide’) is an excerpt of Chapter III of The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights, An Interpretive Guide developed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The interpretative guide provides additional background explanation to the second Pillar of the UNGPs that focuses on business responsibilities in respecting human rights, including the HRDD process.

The Interpretive Guide is not an operational manual that will explain exactly how to put the UNGPs. It is a resource for businesses, Governments, civil society, investors, lawyers, and others who engage with businesses on human rights.