A credible way to assess enterprise respect for human rights 

BHRISC 2011:2025 translates internationally recognised human-rights principles into verifiable requirements for independent assessment and certification. 

BHRISC looks beyond policy commitments. It tests whether human-rights responsibilities are embedded in governance, due-diligence processes, operations, business relationships and remediation mechanisms— and whether those systems work in practice. 

One framework Six connected areas 

The assessment follows the ways an enterprise can affect people—through its own systems, its workforce and supply chain, communities, products and services, security arrangements and governance. 

1. Human Rights Management System 

2. Workers and Supply Chains 

3. Communities and the Public 

4. Products and Services 

5. Security 

6. Governance 

From scope to continuing assurance Independent assessors follow a staged, evidence-based process. The certification body considers the results together with the critical-indicator rule. 

1. Scope and readiness Confirm the enterprise boundary, operating context, salient risks, business relationships, sites, worker groups and affected stakeholders. Stage 1 reviews documentation and readiness and develops a riskbased field plan. 

2. Field verification Test implementation and effectiveness through site inspection, confidential interviews, records, contracts, grievance files and corroborating evidence. Sampling includes relevant vulnerable and higher-risk groups. 

3. Evaluation and reporting Compare evidence with each sub-indicator, record a concise rationale, and identify non-conformities and evidence gaps. Observed practice and independently verifiable records carry greater weight than unsupported assertions. 

4. Decision and Follow-up Consider total, section and criterion results with the critical-indicator gate. Certification operates on a three-year cycle with annual surveillance and focused follow-up where changes or risk warrant it. 

Evidence safeguards the conclusion 

- Substance over form. Policies and records do not establish effective implementation without corroborating operational evidence. 

- Critical-indicator gate. Every critical indicator must reach the required score. Strong performance elsewhere cannot waive, average or offset a failure.

- Consistent scoring. Each sub-indicator is scored 0 to 3, weighted and rolled upward through indicators, criteria and sections to a maximum of 300 points. 

- Disciplined calculations. Full precision is retained through intermediate calculations; reported results are rounded only after calculation. 

- Exceptional exclusions. A not-applicable finding requires demonstrated structural inapplicability, evidence, approval, documentation and future revalidation 

What certification communicates 

A BHRISC result gives stakeholders a structured view of an enterprise’s human-rights management and performance. It can reveal systemic weaknesses, prioritise corrective action, strengthen governance and due diligence, and support more credible communication with workers, communities, investors, civil society and other stakeholders. 

Certification is not a declaration that no human-rights impact can occur. It demonstrates that the enterprise has been independently assessed against defined requirements and has met the applicable certification level, including all critical safeguards.