15 years of the UN Guiding Principles and their influence on ASI Standards
The UNGPs have helped inform the development and evolution of human rights-related criteria
26 June 2026
For ASI, the UNGPs have helped inform the development and evolution of human rights-related criteria within the ASI Standards. While ASI draws on a range of internationally recognised frameworks and conventions, the influence of the UNGPs can be seen across topics including human rights due diligence, worker rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, community engagement, grievance mechanisms and access to remedy.
The UNGPs helped establish a common understanding that businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights and should identify, prevent and address adverse impacts linked to their activities and business relationships. These concepts have become increasingly embedded in responsible business practice over the past 15 years and continue to influence how standards systems such as ASI translate human rights principles into implementable requirements and processes.
As ASI continues its Standards Revision process, these broader developments remain relevant to discussions about how responsible business conduct can be reflected in practical, credible and effective actions for the aluminium value chain. They also reinforce the importance of effective mechanisms for raising concerns and seeking remedy when issues arise.
Did you know? Alongside certification and assurance processes, ASI’s Complaints Mechanism provides a pathway for stakeholders to raise concerns relating to ASI Members, Certified Entities and the implementation of ASI requirements.
To mark this anniversary, Australian consultancy Pillar Two produced a short video featuring reflections from business and human rights practitioners from around the world. A recurring theme was how the UNGPs helped move business and human rights from a niche topic to a mainstream expectation of responsible business conduct, creating a common language and shared understanding of concepts such as due diligence, stakeholder engagement, accountability and access to remedy. Contributors also noted that while the UNGPs established an important foundation, expectations continue to evolve through legislation, investor expectations, standards systems and practical implementation efforts. Recognising the challenges of implementation and auditing, Pillar Two previously worked with ASI in 2024 to develop a specific auditor training module on implementation of the UNGPs as per criteria 9.1 in the Performance Standard.
Watch the Pillar Two video to hear reflections from business and human rights practitioners on 15 years of the UN Guiding Principles and their continuing influence on responsible business conduct.
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