Human Rights Due Diligence Gap Analysis and Training for Dura Vermeer

About Dura Vermeer 

Dura Vermeer is a family-owned business and a leader in the Dutch construction sector. The company operates across the Netherlands in residential, utility, and infrastructure construction. Its core activities include the design, development, and execution of construction and infrastructure projects, as well as transformation, maintenance, and renovation. 

The Client Challenge

As a player in complex value chains, Dura Vermeer increasingly received questions from clients regarding its approach to human rights risks within its supply chain. To be able to answer these questions effectively, Dura Vermeer wanted to gain insight into the extent to which its human rights due diligence (HRDD) practices aligned with international standards. 2impact investigated this by means of an HRDD gap analysis. Following the gap analysis, Dura Vermeer wanted to implement the recommendations immediately, and the procurement team expressed a need for building knowledge and capacity. 

Our Approach  

2impact carried out an HRDD gap analysis. Through a review of policies and documents, as well as interviews, we compared Dura Vermeer’s current HRDD practices against international standards, such as the OECD Guidelines, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and the CSRD and EU Taxonomy. We identified areas for improvement and formulated recommendations. These were primarily aimed at further identifying and addressing human rights risks beyond the first link in the value chain. As a result, Dura Vermeer wanted to undertake a supply chain mapping and human rights risk assessment. The procurement department plays a crucial role in this. Because HRDD was a new theme for the procurement team, 2impact developed practical, tailor-made training courses on HRDD, specifically aimed at the role of buyers. These training sessions were provided on-site at Dura Vermeer. 

 
The Result 

With the support of 2impact, Dura Vermeer translated recommendations into concrete follow-up steps for the implementation of HRDD. Through the training sessions, the procurement team gained more insight into supply chain risks and how to address them. As a result, the company can respond better to customer inquiries and work more purposefully towards its responsible business conduct objectives.