Business & Human Rights in the Chemical Industry: An Assessment of Company Responses to Human Rights Issues

The chemical industry is one of the largest manufacturing industries in the world. Its wide global impact reflects the high responsibility for governments and the chemical industry to protecting human rights of workers and consumers.

An assessment prepared by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and the Special Rapporteur on Toxics analyses trends in cases of alleged human rights abuse relating to the chemical industry, and the responses of States and companies to these concerns.

Human Rights challenges and opportunities for the chemical industry

The analysis shows that despite some positive steps to address toxic pollution from the chemical industry, critical gaps remain, particularly in protecting the rights of workers, children, low-income communities and other vulnerable groups. It provides recommendations to States and businesses to strengthen regulations and practices regarding the chemical industry.

Read the assessment of company responses to human rights issues within the chemical industry