Codes of conduct and international framework agreements: New forms of governance at company level - Case study: BASF

From the year 2000, and in the context of a reorganisation and readjustment of company policy, BASF has developed several initiatives in view of adopting a comprehensive approach of responsible behaviour and integrity. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening both a sustainable growth strategy and improving the company’s relationship with its stakeholders. Even though the regulation of basic labour standards and rights, as well as principles of global industrial relations, are not laid down in the national BASF Code of Conduct in Germany, they derive from the company’s general Values and Principles, which since 2004 include clear commitments to ILO labour standards.