Social Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

In this chapter, after a brief literature review, the social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) technology is introduced, including fundamental terminologies, steps for Implementing an S-LCA, and seven major assessment methods. A case study is presented to illustrate how the procedure and relevant assessment methods are applied in the S-LCA of a company producing lighting products.

Appendix

Appendix 7.1 List of Performance Reference Points (Ciroth and Franze 2011)

Subcategory	Performance Reference Point	Basis
Freedom of association and collective bargaining	Freedom of association and collective bargaining should be ensured. The forming and joining of independent trade unions should be possible.	• ILO labour standards • UN Declaration on Human Rights • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UN Global Compact • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Child labour	No occurrence of child labour.	• ILO labour standards • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UN Global Compact • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Forced labour	No occurrence of forced labour.	• ILO labour standards • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprisess • UN Global Compact • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Fair salary	The wage level should ensure a decent standard of living. The payment of the minimum wage is often not sufficient. Further, companies should pay in time and do not withhold shares of the salary.	• ILO labour standards • UN Declaration on Human Rights • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Working time	The working time should not exceed 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week.	• ILO labour standards • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Discrimination	No occurrence of discrimination. Further, companies should employ minorities and the employment ratio men to women should be balanced.	• ILO labour standards • UN Declaration on Human Rights • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UN Global Compact • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • The Global Sullivan Principles UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Health and safety	Adequate management of health and safety, so that the risk of workers is low.	• ILO labour standards • ISO 26000 • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Social benefits/social security	Companies should provide social benefits as for instance medical insurance or pension insurance, which ensure a decent standard of living. Other social benefits as swimming pools, staff cars, or the like are classified as rather unimportant.	• ILO labour standards • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Access to material resources	Companies should not overexploit material resources and should implement certified environmental management systems to minimise resource consumption. In addition, companies should improve community infrastructure, if the infrastructure is underdeveloped or not sufficient for a decent standard of living.	• UN Declaration on Human Rights • ISO 26000 • ISO 14000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UN Global Compact • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Access to immaterial resources	Companies should provide for one thing freedom of expression; for another thing they should support communities in education or other community services, if necessary.	• UN Declaration on Human Rights • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Delocalisation and migration	Companies should not cause resettlements or migration movements on a large scale. If resettlements are necessary companies should provide appropriate compensations.	• UN Declaration on Human Rights • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Cultural heritage	Companies should respect cultural heritage and do not infringe cultural customs and traditions in any way.	• UN Declaration on Human Rights • ILO conventions • Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Respect of indigenous rights	Companies should respect indigenous rights, including the rights to lands, resources, cultural integrity, self-determination, and self-government.	• UN Declaration on Human Rights • Indigenous rights • ILO conventions • UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples • IFC Performance Standards on • Social and Environmental Sustainability • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Safe and healthy living conditions	Companies should minimise their environmental pollution in order not to jeopardise the health of community members.	• UN Declaration on Human Rights • ISO 26000 • IFC Performance Standards on • Social and Environmental Sustainability • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Secure living conditions	In countries with high crime rates companies should contribute to secure living conditions through private security personnel.	• UN Declaration on Human Rights • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Local employment	Companies should contribute directly or indirectly through local suppliers to the reduction of local unemployment.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • ILO conventions • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Community engagement	Companies should engage in their communities in different areas. In addition, companies should include community stakeholders in relevant decision-making processes.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Public commitments to sustainable issues	Companies should contribute to the sustainable development of the society with regard to the impacts from their activities.	• OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Contribution to economic development	Companies should contribute the local economic development through different aspects as payment of wages, purchase of raw materials and supplies, investments etc.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Prevention and mitigation of conflicts	Companies located in regions with a high risk of conflicts due to resource depletion, massive pollution or poor working standards should try to reduce the risk by dint of appropriate measures.	• UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Technology development	Companies acting in technology relevant areas should engage in the development of efficient and environ- mental sound technologies.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UN Global Compact • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Corruption	Companies should not be involved into cases of corruption and should implement appropriate measures to prevent corruption.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UN Global Compact • The Global Sullivan Principles • The Global Sullivan Principles
Fair competition	Companies should act fair, i.e. not anti-competitive.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • United Nations Set of principles and rules on competition • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Promoting social responsibility	Companies should promote social responsibility among suppliers, including monitoring, audits, and training with regard to social responsible behaviour.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Supplier relationships	Companies should develop supplier relationships, which base on mutual co-operation. Companies should act fair regarding their suppliers and should support them, if necessary.	• UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Respect of intellectual property rights	Companies should respect intellectual property rights and should not infringe patent rights.	• ISO 26000 • The Global Sullivan Principles • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Health and safety	Companies should minimise health and safety risks of products.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Feedback mechanism	Companies should implement feedback mechanisms to come in contact with consumers in an uncomplicated way.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
Transparency	Companies should communicate regarding their product and social responsibility in a transparent way. The communication should enable an informed consumer choice.	• ISO 26000 • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises • UNEP/SETAC method sheets • UNEP/SETAC method sheets
End of life responsibility	Companies should provide information to consumers regarding appropriate end-of-life options, if relevant. Manufactures of electronic products should establish product take back systems and should ensure appropriate product disposal.	• WEEE directive • UNEP/SETAC method sheets