Human rights in the value chain is a material topic for Bracell encompassing monitoring and managing human rights compliance in Bracell’s operations. In people management, fostering an environment that supports diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging for different identities and individual choices, and ensuring employee well-being, health and safety.

In 2023, Bracell announced its set of long-term sustainability targets and commitments titled “Bracell 2030”, which includes specific Empowering Lives targets:

Promoting equal opportunities for women

Fostering an inclusive work environment  for diversity groups

In 2023 we published a Human Resources Policy that formalizes Bracell’s commitment to sustainable development and best practices that positively impact people and communities. The Policy requires that Bracell respect the dignity and human rights of its employees, contractors, and subcontractors, as well as the rights of indigenous peoples and local and traditional communities. It establishes guidelines on business conduct and on managing human rights impacts, ensuring we deliver on our commitment to maintaining sound labor practices and decent working conditions.

Bracell’s internal labor policies are aligned with international certification requirements and Brazilian laws and regulations, in particular the Regulatory Standards (NRs) of the Ministry of Labor and Employment. The official channels available for handling human rights-related reports, grievances and concerns are amply communicated (read more in GRI 2-25).

Corporate policies—including our Code of Conduct, Procurement Ethics Code, Human Rights Policy, Sustainability Policy and Pulpwood and Fiber Sourcing Policy—provide guidance to stakeholders on mitigating human rights risks and impacts and govern our contracts with suppliers and contractors. These policies support us in mitigating risks related to child labor and forced and slave labor in our value chain, and ensuring compliance with labor, child and adolescent rights.

We also continuously monitor the areas surrounding our eucalyptus plantations to protect human rights in neighboring communities, as part of our pulpwood traceability process.

With the commissioning of our two flexible lines at our Lençóis Paulista (SP) site, we have expanded our forestry operations in the region and some local residents on a particular property have been resettled as a result.

This process is managed in compliance with International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standard 5 – Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement. Within this front, Bracell also manages and works to prevent and/or mitigate the social risks to which workers and their families may be exposed.

Every six months on average, Bracell undergoes an independent audit on compliance with social and environmental standards, including the IFC Performance Standards.

To minimize actual impacts on communities surrounding the mill, we use an approach that includes community mapping, advertising official communication channels, and managing and addressing community concerns.

Bracell also actively manages and works to prevent and/or promptly mitigate the social risks to which workers and their families may be exposed.

The Company’s internal regulations comply with international certifications and Brazilian legislation, in particular the Regulatory Standards (NRs) of the Ministry of Labor and Employment. We also publicize our official channels for receiving reports, complaints and concerns (learn more at Disclosures GRI 2-25).

The Company registered no cases of discrimination.