Introduction
During the year 2002 Océ became a signatory to the UN Global Compact.
The Global Compact is based on nine principles in the areas of human rights, labour and the environment. These principles are derived from universal consensus based on:
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
- The International Labour Organisation's Declaration in Fundamental Principles and Right at Work;
- The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.
The Global Compact asks companies to integrate these principles into their core business operations and to pursue projects and corporate activities that advance the principles and broad UN goals. One of the overriding objectives is to embed the principles—and, hence, good corporate citizenship—into corporate management strategy and decision making.
Progress in 2003
Océ will indicate each year which steps have been taken to achieve further progress in these areas.
During the first reporting year Océ made the alignment to integrate the first two Global Compact Principles into its core business operation.
These two principles are:
- to support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights;
- to avoid complicity in human rights abuses
The Policy
The basis of the human rights principles are the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948.
The community of all Océ shareholders has a responsibility to uphold human rights within its sphere of influence, allied to the recognition that a good human rights record can support business performance.
The management of the Océ operating companies will be requested to develop an understanding of the UDHR to ensure that they are respecting existing national laws in the countries where they operate, and identify how these may vary according to local culture and to embed respect for human rights in the core values and culture of the organisation. Océ commits itself to make all reasonable efforts in making these human rights part of the daily activities by:
- providing safe and healthy working conditions;
- guaranteeing freedom of association;
- ensuring non discrimination in personnel practices;
- providing access to basic health, education and housing;
- preventing the forcible displacements of individuals, groups or communities;
- working to protect the economic livelihood of local communities;
- contributing to the public debate in the interaction with all levels of government, using the right and the responsibility to express Océ views on matters that affect their operations, employees, customers and the communities of which they are a part;
- respecting international guidelines and standards in the use of force in case the Océ operating company is using security services to protect their operations.
Monitoring
The managing directors will be requested to report any special event regarding the UDHR to the Sustainability Forum and to report the compliance with this Corporate Human Rights Policy annually in the representation letter.
Auditing
The Océ Internal Audit Department will audit the compliance with this policy and report to the Board of Executive Directors of Océ N.V.
An audit statement will be published on the company website and in the Corporate HSE report. | 
