Hydro respects the human rights of all individuals and groups that may be affected by our operations. This includes employees, contractors, suppliers, agencies, partners, communities, and those affected by the use and disposal of our products. 

Our commitment to respect human rights is guided by internationally recognized human rights and labor standards, including those contained in the International Bill of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (Core Labor Standards).

Our approach is based on key frameworks that define human rights principles for businesses (external links):

• UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
• OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
• OECD Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct
• The UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles

Hydro’s prioritized human rights areas

We have identified and prioritized the human rights relevant to our operations and which we are most at risk of potentially impacting. These have been identified based on information from impact assessments, internal and external experts and other relevant sources. They have been prioritized based on the highest severity and likelihood of a potential adverse impact on people. 

• Forced labor, modern slavery and child labor abuse
• Freedom of association and collective bargaining
• Discrimination and harassment
• Decent working conditions
• Health and safety
• Vulnerable individuals and groups
• Access to information and participation in dialogue
• Land rights and resettlement

Hydro’s Human rights management

Managing and improving our human rights impact is an ongoing process. You can find more information about Hydro’s human rights management in Hydro’s Human Rights Policy and our Annual Report.

Policy commitment and governance

• Hydro’s Human Rights Policy was developed in 2013 through a multi-stakeholder process. The policy was updated in 2016, 2020 and 2023. In the most recent update, several internal and external experts were consulted with competence from social responsibility, health, safety and environment, legal, human rights, as well as NGOs. The policy outlines the company’s commitment to respecting human rights. The commitment is integrated in key procedures, including supply chain management, HSE, HR, new projects, and risk management. The policy is approved by Hydro’s Corporate Management Board.
• Respecting human rights is part of Hydro’s Code of Conduct, with which we expect all of our employees to comply.
• Hydro’s Code of Conduct is approved and owned by Hydro’s Board of Directors. Hydro’s Governance Documents concerning human rights are approved by the relevant Executive Vice Presidents.
• We have set minimum requirements relating to human rights to our suppliers. These are stated in Hydro’s Supplier Code of Conduct. We expect our suppliers to comply with and promote the same principles in their own supply chain.
• We communicate our performance in our Annual report according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. The report also includes our Modern Slavery Transparency Statement.

Due diligence: Identifying, assessing, acting, monitoring and communicating impacts

• Human rights risk assessments and mitigating action plans are integrated in Hydro’s enterprise risk management process.
• In line with our risk-based approach, we aim to conduct more thorough stand-alone human rights impact assessments with mitigating action plans where there is a higher risk for adverse human rights impact.
• Before new projects, major developments or large expansions are undertaken, we aim to conduct risk-based environmental and social impact assessments, when relevant, which include evaluating risks for adverse human rights impacts. We are guided by The IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability in doing so.
• We have procedures to assess new suppliers against human rights criteria. Where relevant, we conduct risk-based audits and reviews of suppliers, and work to improve supplier performance through corrective action plans or supplier development programs.
• The Norwegian Transparency Act establishes legal requirements for larger enterprises’ duty to report on the work they do to ensure compliance with fundamental human rights and decent working conditions in the enterprises themselves, in their supply chains and with their business partners. In addition there is also a duty to report on the assessments made to ensure that stakeholders have access to the information. The Act is based on the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) and the OECD’s guidelines for responsible business conduct. Hydro has a company-wide approach to human rights due diligence which is integrated into our governance structure, including the annual ERM process. The Human Rights and Responsible Supply Chain sections of the Annual Report constitutes Hydro’s legally required disclosures under the Norwegian Transparency Act for 2023. Information about our processes, our key findings and actions are presented in the Annual Report for 2022, from page 103 to 112.

Stakeholder engagement

• Where relevant, we consult parties we may impact through cause, contribution or linkage in the identification, assessment and management of significant human rights impacts associated with our activities.
• We engage and collaborate with stakeholders both internally and externally where relevant to help inform us about, and evaluate the effectiveness of, our human rights management. This may include civic organizations, NGOs, unions, local associations, authorities, etc.
• We also consult with human rights experts knowledgeable about the local territories where we operate or through established partnerships. See more under Industry commitment and collaboration below.
• We engage in dialogue where relevant with employees’ representatives, employee forums or unions. Hydro has a Global Framework Agreement with international and national unions.
• Where relevant and in line with our risk-based approach, we have regular dialogue with communities, and more frequent and structured dialogue in communities with higher risk of facing adverse human rights impacts. 
• We aim to contribute to the economic and social development of our employees, our partners and the communities in which we operate, and promote principles of good governance in doing so. Read more about community development here.

Grievance mechanisms and remediation

To help facilitate informed and effective participation by people who are potentially affected by our operations, we establish or facilitate access to effective grievance mechanisms where relevant.

We encourage, and will not retaliate against, individuals who in good faith raise concerns regarding Hydro’s respect for human rights.

A companywide whistleblower channel AlertLine for reporting concerns involving illegal, unethical or unwanted behavior is available, on an identified or anonymous basis, for employees and on-site contractors. In countries with higher risks for adverse human rights impact to communities according to our risk-based approach, we aim to have local community-based grievance mechanisms.

In situations where we identify adverse human rights impact that we have caused or contributed to, we work to cooperate in, promote access to and/or provide fair remediation.

Hydro is committed to not interfere, retaliate or hinder access to judicial or non-judicial mechanisms. Non-judicial mechanisms include the OECD National Contact Points and the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO).

Industry commitment and collaboration

We recognize the importance of working collaboratively across our industry to promote the respect for, and fulfillment of, human rights. We are members of the International Council on Mining and Metals and the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, and actively participate in working groups related to human rights and social development.

Furthermore, we participate in forums such as the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights and are members of Norwegian KAN (Coalition for responsible business) and the and the Danish Institute for Human Rights’ Nordic Business Network for Human Rights.  

Hydro has had a long-standing partnership with Amnesty International Norway since 2002. The partnership is based on human rights education and dialogue meetings on relevant human rights dilemmas. We also cooperate with the Danish Institute for Human Rights for external expertise to further develop, maintain and strengthen our approach to human rights. As a Signature Partner of UNICEF Norway, we contribute to children and youth education, and discuss how to further integrate respect for children’s rights in our processes and procedures.

Hydro Brazil is also a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights.

Managing human rights risks

In line with our risk-based approach and major risks to people, we are working closely with specific cases with high human rights risk. We welcome dialogue and encourage you to contact us if you would like to discuss further.  

Many of our risks are described in several human rights impact assessments, which we are continuously working to mitigate. More information can also be found in our Annual Report.