Stakeholder engagement is a key component of the Copper Mark Assurance Process.
STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COPPER MARK ASSURANCE FRAMEWORK
Stakeholders are an integral part of the Copper Mark Assurance Framework. From our governance bodies, to the intended impacts of our Theory of Change, to how we develop and revise our standards, to assessing participants against those standards, stakeholders play a vital role in the decision-making, development, implementation, and goals of the Copper Mark.
The RRA 3.0 Criteria Guide defines stakeholders as "Any individual or organization and their legitimate representatives that may affect or be affected by a company’s actions and decisions. Stakeholders can be individuals, interest groups, government agencies or corporate entities. They may include politicians, commercial and industrial enterprises, labor unions, academics, religious groups, national social and environmental groups, public sector agencies, the media and communities. In this Criteria Guide, the primary focus is on affected or potentially affected stakeholders. Legitimate representatives include trade unions, as well as civil society organizations and others with experience and expertise related to business impacts on human rights."
It further defines stakeholder engagement as "A two-way process of information sharing and decision-making that aims to simultaneously address stakeholder issues and priorities (including the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups) as well as the concerns and needs of the business. It is carried out in a manner that is inclusive and culturally sensitive: beyond listening, the aim of engagement and consultation is to ensure mutual understanding and responsiveness by all parties to enable them to discuss and manage matters with the potential to affect all concerned."
The Copper Mark invites any interested party to provide input and feedback to the Copper Mark at any time by emailing us at info@coppermark.org.
Stakeholders may also lodge a grievance against the Copper Mark or an existing participant using our Grievance Mechanism here. More information about the Grievance Mechanism is available here.
BEFORE THE ASSESSMENT
As part of the assurance process, assessors are required to conduct stakeholder interviews. Good planning is the foundation of good stakeholder engagement in the assurance process, and as a result, assessors are expected to conduct desk-based research, identify stakeholders, and develop an interview sampling plan for the independent site assessment.
If you have information about stakeholders or would like to be considered for an interview during the assessment of a site participating in the Copper Mark Assurance Process, please reach out to the Copper Mark at info@coppermark.org.
DURING THE ASSESSMENT
Annex I of the Copper Mark Assurance Process defines in detail how assessors are required to engage with stakeholders throughout the assessment.
The Copper Mark strives to build trusting, safe, relationships and ongoing communication with stakeholders both directly and indirectly through assessors, sites, and local organizations. In order to do so, the following principles are applied:
- Respect
- Health and safety (both the physical and psychology safety of stakeholders and the assessors)
- Confidentiality
- Good faith
- Cultural sensitivity
- Flexibility
- Transparency
- Quality over quantity
If Assessors or stakeholders have concerns about health, safety, confidentiality, including threats or other forms of intimidation, coercion, or retaliation, they should raise them immediately with Copper Mark. If assessors or other stakeholders have indications or concerns that interviewees have been coached about the answers they should or should not provide, they should raise these with Copper Mark.
AFTER THE ASSESSMENT
After an assessment, the Copper Mark publishes the summary report on the website here. Stakeholders who disagree with the results are welcome to submit a grievance via Grievance Mechanism here. More information about the Grievance Mechanism is available here.
Annex I of the Copper Mark Assurance Process also defines the feedback loops to inform interviewees of the outcomes of the independent site assessment. This includes the requirement to share with stakeholders a leave-behind provided by the Copper Mark that includes contact information and access to the Grievance Mechanism.
The assessor must also share with the Copper Mark the contact information for any stakeholder who indicated an interest to receive the summary report. The Copper Mark is responsible for sharing the summary report with those stakeholders.
In addition to the above, sites may consider sharing the findings and key points from the assessment directly with their stakeholders.