The public and independent mediation and complaints-handling institution, NCP Denmark, which evaluates responsible business conduct, has over the past year reviewed BESTSELLER's procedures for and work to ensure responsible production conditions in Myanmar. The investigation was carried out based on a complaint, which the mediation and complaints-handling institution has now rejected, just as NCP Denmark acknowledges BESTSELLER's work.

In 2021, BESTSELLER commissioned an independent report and evaluation of its due diligence to ensure responsible production in Myanmar. The report, which was done by one of Europe’s leading authorities on human rights, showed and stated, that the Danish fashion company has complied with all sanctions, and that three of its suppliers have not cooperated with the military in Myanmar, which was a claim at the time.

Now The Danish Mediation and Complaints-Handling Institution for Responsible Business Conduct (NCP Denmark), which is the Danish National Contact Point based on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, has considered BESTSELLER's due diligence. The NCP has made a decision that supports and recognizes BESTSELLER's work and ongoing due diligence in Myanmar.

"Based on the feasibility study, NCP Denmark assesses that the company has carried out thorough, systematic and ongoing risk-based human rights due diligence. NCP Denmark therefore finds no reason to investigate the circumstances of the complaint further. On this basis, NCP Denmark has decided to reject the complaint," reads the decision, which has now been published.

Satisfaction at BESTSELLER

BESTSELLER is pleased with that the verdict from NCP and the recognition of its work to ensure responsible production in Myanmar:

"We are of course happy with the decision, which - like the impartial review from 2021 and our ongoing dialogue with experts - confirms that we take our responsibility seriously, work thoroughly and systematically with our due diligence and that we are generally aware of the responsibilities and commitments, we have when working in countries," says Director for Global Sourcing at BESTSELLER, Michael W. Schultze.

The Danish Mediation and Complaints-Handling Institution for Responsible Business Conduct offers mediation and/or decisions in disputes between parties. In this case, the complainant has requested NCP Denmark to take a position on BESTSELLER's work in Myanmar. The NCP has now done so, and the complaint has therefore now been rejected.

Since February 1, 2021, Myanmar has been under a military government that took power in the country after a coup. BESTSELLER has condemned the coup and, in its work to ensure responsible production, has also been conscious of avoiding direct or indirect support for the military. Among other things, it is this systematic work that the NCP has assessed and taken a position on in its decision.

READ THE OFFICIAL DECISION STATEMENT HERE

In Danish:

BESTSELLER tilfredse med Myanmar-afgørelse

Den offentlige og uafhængige klageinstitution, NCP Danmark, der vurderer ansvarlig virksomhedsadfærd, har i det seneste år gennemgået BESTSELLERs procedurer for og arbejde med at sikre ansvarlige produktionsforhold i Myanmar. Undersøgelsen er gennemført på baggrund af en klage, som klageinstitutionen nu har afvist, ligesom NCP Danmark anerkender BESTSELLERs arbejde.  

BESTSELLER fik i 2021 udarbejdet en uafhængig redegørelse og vurdering af sit arbejde med at sikre ansvarlige produktionsforhold i Myanmar. Redegørelsen der blev gennemført af en internationalt anerkendt menneskerettighedsekspert, viste og pointerede, at den danske modevirksomhed har overholdt alle sanktioner, samt at tre af dens leverandører ikke har samarbejdet med militæret i Myanmar, hvilket var en påstand på det tidspunkt.

Nu har den offentlige og uafhængige klageinstitution Mæglings- og Klageinstitutionen for Ansvarlig Virksomhedsadfærd (NCP Danmark) også taget stilling til BESTSELLERs due diligence og truffet afgørelse, der bekræfter og anerkender BESTSELLERs arbejde og løbende due diligence i Myanmar. Konklusionen i NCP Danmarks afgørelse er følgende:  

”Baseret på forundersøgelsen vurderer NCP Danmark, at virksomheden har gennemført indgående, systematisk og løbende risikobaseret menneskeretlig due diligence. NCP Danmark finder derfor ikke grund til at undersøge klagens forhold nærmere. NCP Danmark har på den baggrund besluttet at afvise klagen,” lyder det i afgørelsen, som nu er blevet offentliggjort.

Tilfredshed hos BESTSELLER

Afgørelsen glæder BESTSELLER, der er tilfredse med udfaldet og anerkendelsen af dets arbejde med at sikre ansvarlige produktionsforhold i Myanmar:

”Vi er naturligvis glade for afgørelsen, der – ligesom den uvildige gennemgang fra 2021 og vores løbende dialog med eksperter – bekræfter, at vi tager vores ansvar alvorligt, arbejder grundigt og systematisk med vores due diligence og i det hele taget er bevidste om de muligheder og forpligtigelser, vi har i de lande, hvor vi er, og som vi arbejder meget ambitiøst med” siger Director for Global Sourcing i BESTSELLER, Michael W. Schultze.

Mæglings- og Klageinstitutionen for Ansvarlig Virksomhedsadfærd tilbyder mægling og/eller afgørelser i tvister mellem parter. I dette tilfælde har klager anmodet NCP Danmark om at tage stilling til BESTSELLERs arbejde i Myanmar. Det har NCP nu gjort, og klagen er altså nu blevet afvist.  

Myanmar har siden 1. februar 2021 været underlagt et militærstyre, der tog magten i landet efter et kup. BESTSELLER har fordømt kuppet og har i sit arbejde med at sikre ansvarlige produktionsforhold også været bevidste om at undgå direkte eller indirekte støtte til militæret. Det er blandt andet dét systematiske arbejde, som NCP har vurderet og taget stilling til i sin afgørelse.