We respect human rights wherever we operate
We are committed to upholding the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor Organization’s core conventions. And we strive to keep improving our human rights performance by following the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Our commitment to human rights is expressed in the Syngenta Code of Conduct, our Principles for Sustainable and Responsible Agriculture , and the Syngenta Labor Standards.
All employees are expected to live up to this commitment. We regularly train them on our Code of Conduct and have processes for monitoring its delivery right across our operations – from the sourcing and production of our seeds, flowers, chemicals and biologicals to the sale of our products, and the advice and training we give to farmers and farm workers.
We also recognize that our impact on human rights goes beyond our direct operations and expect our suppliers to conduct business in a legal and ethical manner, as outlined in our Supplier Code of Conduct.
Access to innovation to benefit farming communities
Improving farmers’ access to agricultural technologies is key to meeting people’s basic human right to adequate food, improving rural livelihoods, and addressing the food demands of a growing world population. Our aim is to provide leading innovation in seeds, crop protection, digital solutions, and application technology to enhance the prosperity of farmers and communities, wherever they are. This is reflected in our Good Growth Plan.
Enabling access to our innovations for smallholder farmers is of particular importance and we offer solutions that are specifically designed for their needs. These range from producing smaller, more affordable packs of products, to establishing demonstration farms, centers of excellence and learning centers.
Access to technologies needs to be supported by access to knowledge on how to use them. We have committed to train every year at least 8 million people, including a significant proportion of smallholder farmers, mostly located in Asia, in labor safety as well as residues, environmental and crop management, and related activities.
Engaging to advance human rights
Working in isolation does not sufficiently address the human rights challenge. We not only support human rights among our employees, suppliers, customers and in our communities but also work with organizations such as the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights, the Institute for Human Rights and Business, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, and the United Nations Global Compact to promote and advance respect for human rights. And we partner with local organizations to improve conditions on the ground.
GBI is a cross-industry initiative dedicated to advancing human rights in a business context through peer learning, outreach and capacity building, and by informing policy. As a member, we can share our ideas and challenges and learn from other industries. A group of expert advisors makes sure that the conversation stays relevant and informed by the latest policy developments.
The IHRB is an international think tank founded in 2009 and serves as an independent voice on human rights and business issues around the world. Its mission is to shape policy, advance practice, and strengthen accountability to make respect for human rights part of everyday business.
The SFSA is a non-profit organization established by Syngenta. It collaborates with a wide range of organizations. Together, they provide access to innovation that helps smallholders in developing countries increase their agricultural productivity, resilience, and income from food production and entrepreneurial activities.
This UN initiative calls companies to keep their strategies and operations in line with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We’ve been a signatory since 2009.
Modern slavery and human trafficking
We do not use forced, bonded or compulsory labor both within our own operations and through our supply chain. Under the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act (MSA) 2015, all businesses with annual turnover above £36 million conducting business in the UK must publish a slavery and human trafficking statement. Syngenta’s statement details the actions we’re taking to ensure that our global supply chain is slavery free.
Download our UK MSA Statement for the financial year ending December 31, 2021
Find our more
Integrity and ethics are vital to our business and make us a trusted partner. We foster a culture of doing the right thing.
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