Human Rights Commitment
Let’s Talk Purpose and Scope
At IEE, people are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to develop innovative technologies that contribute to safer and better lives—focused on life-saving impact. This dedication to human well-being extends beyond our products; it is embedded in our workplace culture, where we strive to uphold the highest standards of human rights, dignity, and respect.
Through this Human Rights Commitment (“Commitment”) – complemented by IEE’s Charter of Values and our Supplier Sustainability Policy – we affirm our responsibility to respect human rights and define the standards we expect from ourselves, management, our colleagues, and all partners across our value chain.
Our Commitment
We comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and respect internationally recognised human rights wherever we operate.
Our Commitment is defined by internationally recognised human rights, expressed in the International Bill of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and is being implemented in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), to which we are a signatory.
IEE respects and supports human and labor rights across its value chain, including our own operations, suppliers, service providers, agents, consultants, and other business partners.
We strive to constantly improve our understanding of human rights and take steps to remediate any adverse impacts we become aware of.
Human Rights and Labor Rights
IEE has a deep commitment to respecting and upholding human rights in every aspect of our operations. We believe that this responsibility begins with leadership and is sustained through the active engagement of all our people, across teams and supply chains. Every individual within our company is empowered to foster a culture of dignity, equality, and transparency, where the value of each person is recognized and protected.
We are dedicated to ensuring that our practices reflect respect for the individual. We aim to create a workplace and supply network that is not only compliant, but consciously inclusive and socially responsible.
To uphold this commitment, IEE ensures:
- Equal opportunities for all employees, with robust protections against discrimination based on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, disability, or any other status
- Equal pay for equal work and a strict prohibition of gender-based discrimination in hiring, compensation, promotion, and career development
- A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued
- The right to health and safety at work, supported by proactive risk management, training, and a safe working environment
- Fair working hours that respect legal limits and promote work-life balance
- Appropriate remuneration and benefits that reflect the value of work and support the well-being of our employees
- The freedom of association, including the right to collective bargaining and strike, in accordance with applicable laws and international standards
- A strict prohibition of child labour, ensuring that no person below the legal working age is employed in any part of our operations or supply chain
- A zero-tolerance policy toward forced labour and modern slavery
- Respect for privacy, ensuring that personal data is handled responsibly and securely
- Engagement with local communities, fostering positive relationships and contributing to sustainable development
Good Working Conditions and Workplace Safety
IEE is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive work environment for all employees. We recognize that good working conditions and workplace safety are fundamental to human rights and essential for employee well-being and business sustainability.
To achieve this, we focus on:
- A safe and hazard-free workplace, supported by proactive risk assessments, safety protocols, and regular training to prevent accidents and occupational illnesses
- Access to health and safety resources, including protective equipment, emergency procedures, and wellness support
- Promoting a workplace free from harassment, abuse, and discrimination.
IEE continuously strives to improve working conditions through employee feedback, transparent communication, and alignment with international human rights and labour standards.
Stakeholder engagement
IEE recognizes that meaningful engagement with stakeholders is essential to advancing our human rights commitments. We actively seek dialogue with employees, suppliers, customers, local communities, and other relevant stakeholders to understand their perspectives, address concerns, and foster mutual trust.
Our approach includes:
- Transparent communication and regular consultation with internal and external stakeholders
- Collaboration with local communities to support inclusive development and social well-being
- Encouraging feedback to continuously improve our practices and ensure alignment with stakeholder expectations
- Engagement with partners and suppliers to promote shared responsibility for human rights across our value chain
Suppliers
IEE is committed to building responsible and ethical supply chains that uphold and promote human rights, environmental stewardship, and social equity. Our Supplier Sustainability Policy outlines clear expectations for our suppliers to operate in alignment with internationally recognized standards, including the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the ILO Core Conventions.
We expect our suppliers to:
- Respect human rights and labor standards, including the strict prohibition of child labor, forced labor, and discrimination in employment, promotion and occupation
- Guarantee equal pay for equal work and prohibit any form of gender-based discrimination in hiring, compensation, promotion, and career development
- Uphold the freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, and ensure safe and fair working conditions
- Provide a workplace free from harassment, abuse, and any form of intimidation
- Guarantee a safe and hazard-free workplace, regular training to prevent accidents and occupational illnesses and free access to health and safety resources, including personal protective equipment
- Ensure legal employment practices, including compliance with minimum wage, working hours, and benefits
- Promote diversity and inclusion across their operations
- Comply with relevant environmental and ethical business conduct standards
As part of our supplier sourcing process, ESG factors are integrated into supplier selection and evaluation. We encourage our suppliers to adopt best practices and continuously improve their sustainability performance. Suppliers are expected to acknowledge and adhere to our Supplier Sustainability Policy, which serves as a foundation for responsible business relationships.
IEE is in the process of establishing a Supply Chain Risk Management and Human Rights Due Diligence framework to identify, assess, and mitigate potential human rights and environmental risks.
This includes:
- Using internationally recognized indices and data sources to inform risk assessments
- Encouraging transparency and self-assessment through sustainability questionnaires
- Promoting supplier development through training and capacity-building initiatives
- Creating mechanisms for grievance reporting and remediation, accessible to all stakeholders
We expect our suppliers to cascade these principles throughout their own supply chains and to collaborate with us in fostering ethical, inclusive, and sustainable business practices.
Environmental Responsibility
We recognize that the protection of the environment is deeply interconnected with the realization of human rights and the pursuit of sustainable living conditions.
As part of our sustainability efforts and due diligence processes, we are committed to minimizing environmental impacts, promoting responsible resource use, and safeguarding the planet as our shared home and a foundation for future development.
Customers and Society
We are committed to respecting the rights and dignity of our customers by ensuring that our products and services are safe and ethically designed.
We strive to provide transparent information, protect personal data, and promote accessibility and fairness in all customer interactions.
Our technologies are developed with the purpose of saving lives, improving safety, and enhancing the quality of life. Through innovation and responsibility, we aim to contribute to a sustainable society that upholds the value of human life and promotes well-being and safety for all.
Land, Forest, and Water Rights
IEE respects the rights of communities to land, forests, and water resources. We commit to avoiding any activities that could lead to forced evictions or displacement. All land-related decisions will be guided by principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), ensuring transparent engagement with affected stakeholders and compliance with international human rights standards.
Use of Security Forces
IEE requires that any engagement with public or private security forces aligns with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. We prohibit the use of security personnel who have a record of human rights abuses and mandate training on ethical conduct. Security arrangements must prioritize the safety and dignity of all individuals and include mechanisms for accountability and grievance resolution.
Human Rights Due Diligence
IEE is in the process of establishing a robust Human Rights Due Diligence framework to identify, assess, and manage risks across our operations and supply chain. Appropriate systems and controls will be put in place to ensure that due diligence is proportionate to the level of risk, and that we effectively monitor, report, and continuously improve our practices.
Our due diligence is based on a structured risk analysis, which includes:
- Country risk (e.g., governance, labor rights, conflict zones)
- Sector risk (e.g., industries with known human rights challenges)
- Supplier-specific information (e.g., audit results, certifications)
- Self-assessment responses
- Known incidents and public information
Based on this analysis, we evaluate the level of risk, engage with suppliers, and work collaboratively on continuous improvement.
All suppliers of IEE are required to:
- Sign and adhere to the IEE Supplier Sustainability Policy
- Provide sustainability ratings (e.g., SAQ, EcoVadis)
- Establish and maintain a grievance mechanism
- Complete our self-assessment questionnaire
- Participate in training sessions provided by IEE to strengthen awareness and implementation of human rights and sustainability standards
In principle, any identified violations must be addressed without delay. Where immediate remediation is not feasible, we expect suppliers to present a clear and credible plan to eliminate or minimize the issue within a reasonable timeframe. If a supplier fails to demonstrate willingness to improve or take corrective action, IEE reserves the right to reconsider or terminate the business relationship.
In cases of substantiated concerns involving indirect suppliers, IEE will initiate targeted preventive measures, including inspections and, where necessary, appropriate remedial actions.
This procedure is repeated regularly, and findings are documented through internal reports to ensure transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Documentation, reporting and communication
IEE is committed to transparency and accountability in the implementation of its human rights commitments.
We want to ensure that every part of our business—and every person within it—understands and embraces our responsibility to respect human rights.
This includes maintaining clear and consistent documentation of identified risks, preventive and remedial actions, and stakeholder feedback through structured internal processes.
Our human rights efforts are communicated through:
- Regular updates to our Human Rights Commitment
- Inclusion in IEE’s Sustainability Reporting
- Internal reporting on the implementation of due diligence measures and supplier engagement outcomes
- Public availability of relevant documents on our corporate website
We also ensure that relevant employees, contractors, and selected business partners receive training on human rights principles. These trainings are designed to strengthen understanding, promote ethical conduct, and support the implementation of our policies across all levels of the organization.
Our Human Rights Commitment is reviewed annually to reflect evolving standards, stakeholder expectations, and lessons learned through implementation.
IEE believes that transparency is essential to building trust and driving progress. We are committed to sharing our journey, learning from others, and contributing to a business environment that respects human dignity and promotes sustainable development.
Governance
At IEE, our commitment to human rights is supported by strong governance and leadership. Oversight of our human rights efforts is provided by the Executive Committee, Human Resources Director, and General Counsel.
We believe that embedding respect for human rights begins at the top—but it is realized through the everyday actions and decisions of all IEE employees and through our collaboration with business partners across the value chain.
The commitments outlined in this document are implemented through this Commitment and supported by related company guidelines and procedures. We are committed to aligning with evolving best practices and ensuring this Commitment’s continued relevance and effectiveness.
Grievance Mechanisms and Speaking Up
IEE is committed to fostering a culture of openness, trust, and accountability. We encourage all employees, suppliers, and stakeholders to speak up if they witness or experience any behaviour that may violate human rights, ethical standards, or company policies.
To support this, we maintain accessible and confidential grievance mechanisms that allow individuals to report concerns safely and without fear of retaliation. These mechanisms are available to all stakeholders across our value chain and are designed to ensure timely, fair, and transparent handling of complaints.
We take every report seriously and investigate all credible concerns. Where necessary, we implement corrective actions and work with relevant parties to ensure remediation and continuous improvement.
IEE believes that listening to concerns and acting on them is essential to upholding our values and strengthening our commitment to human rights. We encourage a proactive approach to dialogue and accountability, and we are committed to maintaining an environment where every voice can be heard.
Please consult our Whistleblower page if you wish to express a concern.