Respecting human rights across our value chain
As a global leader in sustainable stainless steel, Outokumpu acknowledges its responsibility to respect and advance human rights across its operations and value chain. With over 8,000 professionals in more than 20 countries, our impact extends from our own chrome mine and ferrochrome production in Finland to stainless steel production facilities in Finland, Sweden, Germany, the US, and Mexico, and through our global raw material supply chains.
We are committed to respecting the rights and upholding the dignity of everyone impacted by our activities - whether directly or through our business relationships. This includes contributing to the economic and social well-being of the local communities where we operate and throughout our supply chains.
Outokumpu conducts its business with integrity and in alignment with internationally recognized human rights standards, including the UN International Bill on Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Our human rights commitments are reflected in several publicly available company policies, which can be accessed in the download section below.
The CEO holds the highest level of oversight and accountability for human rights at Outokumpu. Our Group Sustainability and Procurement teams collaborate closely to embed human rights due diligence across the organization in a balanced and integrated way. Read more about the due diligence governance structure in our Sustainability Statement.
Our broader human rights commitments
In addition to addressing our most salient human rights impacts, Outokumpu is committed to a broader set of principles that guide our actions globally. These commitments reflect internationally recognized human rights standards and cover areas where our operations and relationships may influence people and communities. They ensure that we act responsibly, protect vulnerable groups, and uphold fundamental rights across all aspects of our business
- Respect for internationally recognized human rights – covering civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights, and ensuring access to effective grievance mechanisms and remedies for those affected.
- Protection of vulnerable groups – including children, women, migrant workers, persons with disabilities, local communities, indigenous peoples, and other minorities.
- Zero tolerance for modern slavery – condemning all forms of forced or bonded labor, human trafficking, and debt bondage.
- Prevention of child labor – actively ensuring that child labor does not occur in our own operations or supply chains.
- Respect for community and indigenous people’s rights – minimizing adverse impacts on local communities and indigenous peoples and contributing positively to their well-being and development.
- Avoiding contribution to conflict or instability – ensuring that any security arrangements respect human rights.
- Right to privacy and data protection – safeguarding personal data and respecting privacy in all business practices.
- Recognition of human rights defenders – acknowledging their role and condemning any retaliation or harm against them.
Engaging with stakeholders and affected communities
Meaningful dialogue with stakeholders is central to our human rights due diligence.
Outokumpu operates within the global metals value chain, with production sites and suppliers across multiple regions. Through our own operations and supply chains, we have both direct and indirect impacts on communities at local, national, and global levels. To understand these impacts and address them, we regularly engage with internal and external stakeholders.
Our production sites are often located in smaller communities, where Outokumpu is among the few major private-sector employers and plays an important role in local society. We maintain open communication with local authorities, community representatives, schools, universities, NGOs, and local businesses to listen and respond to community concerns. In addition, we contribute to economic and social well-being through taxes, funding, and support initiatives such as sponsorships and school partnerships.
The availability of the raw materials we need is geographically determined, which means sourcing from regions where human rights and environmental risks may exist. Beyond our own operations, we actively seek input from stakeholders near our suppliers’ locations – particularly those who may be directly affected by their activities. This includes local communities, NGOs, and other relevant organizations. Through these interactions, we aim to identify potential impacts early and work collaboratively to minimize risks and strengthen positive outcomes.
Raising concerns through grievance mechanisms
As part of our human rights due diligence, Outokumpu provides channels for stakeholders to raise concerns. Grievance mechanisms are essential for identifying and addressing our potential or actual human rights impacts early. We continuously develop these mechanisms to ensure they are accessible and effective for the wide range of internal and external stakeholders who may have concerns related to our own operations or broader value chain.
We encourage anyone - employees, business partners, or external stakeholders - to report concerns about potential or actual human rights impacts related to our operations, products or services.
How to Report a Concern
SpeakUp Channel: An independent, confidential whistleblowing platform available in multiple languages via our website. Reports can be submitted anonymously, subject to local laws.
Direct Contacts: Concerns can also be raised directly to our VP Sustainability, Head of Human Rights, or Head of Supplier Sustainability. Contact details are available on our website.
Providing and enabling remedy
Remedy matters because it restores dignity and trust for the affected stakeholders and demonstrates our commitment to responsible business conduct. It also helps us to prevent recurrence of these occurred impacts and reduce related legal and reputational risks.
Remedies can take many forms depending on the impact - such as apologies, compensation, rehabilitation, corrective actions, or policy changes - and must be proportionate, rights-compatible, and responsive to the harm experienced. We continue to strengthen our processes to ensure effective and meaningful remedy across our operations and value chain.