“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
The statement above is Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. December 10th is Human Rights Day… the anniversary of the United Nations adoption of that inspiring document in 1948. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Our Everyday Essentials.” It is meant to emphasize the basic right of human beings to food, water and shelter.
What does human rights have to do with a fulfillment service? Our answer is… that depends on the values of the fulfillment service. AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation, and we do have values. Let’s look at what Google has to say about B Corporations and human rights:
“B Corps must respect fundamental human rights, a requirement recently elevated to a core standard, aligning with the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) to ensure dignity, fair wages, safe conditions, and preventing harm in their operations and supply chains, requiring public policies, impact assessments, and remediation plans for any negative impacts. This means B Corps need robust due diligence to identify, prevent, and fix human rights abuses, treating people with dignity and respecting their fundamental rights.”
Our Values
As we have mentioned in previous blogs, AMS absolutely recognizes the dignity of our associates, and their rights as human beings. We offer fair wages, good benefits, and we have a strong focus on safety in the workplace. Our clients care about the values of the company they partner with for third-party fulfillment, and they know that AMS Fulfillment is a very mindful choice.
“In essence, B Corp certification aims to integrate human rights deeply into business strategy and governance, moving beyond mere compliance to demonstrate a genuine commitment to treating people with dignity and respect.”
The quote above does describe the values of AMS’ leadership – we are committed to our associates as stakeholders in our business. We also are committed to our clients as stakeholders and partners. We communicate with them, and we diligently serve their fulfillment needs. The third stakeholder in our decisions is the communities in which we operate, and the fourth stakeholder is the environment. To make sure we live up to the highest environmental standards, we utilize Sedex for third-party validation [LINK]. The mission of Sedex is as follows:
“To supply data-led insights, accessible tools and exceptional services for more sustainable supply chains. Our solutions enable companies to continuously improve environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and outcomes, and meet their supply chain sustainability goals.”
Where It Began
It is enjoyable to talk about how a declaration protecting the rights of all human beings came to be. Turns out we have a woman to thank for this protective spirit. Eleanor Roosevelt had an important role in creating law with regard to the rights of human beings. Here’s what Google says about it:
“Eleanor Roosevelt’s contribution to human rights is considered her greatest achievement, primarily through her instrumental role in the creation and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Appointed as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations in 1946 by President Harry S. Truman, she became the first chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights.
“Roosevelt successfully pushed for the inclusion of not only civil and political rights (like freedom of speech and religion) but also economic and social rights (such as the right to education, shelter, and medical care).”
During this month of December, wherein we focus on the human spirit and gratitude for the wellbeing of family, friends and others, let’s be grateful as well for human rights. We encourage our readers to read the full Declaration at this [LINK] and if life and responsibilities allow, volunteer in the community with organizations that provide food, housing and other necessities.
New Standards
Let’s learn a bit more about human rights in a business environment. At the B Corporation resource library, the following information is available about the UN guiding principles on business and human rights [LINK].
B Corp certification now includes mandatory and explicit human rights standards that require companies to perform due diligence, prevent harm, and report their progress. This marks a significant shift from the previous standards where human rights were often embedded implicitly.
The New Human Rights B Corp Standards
In April 2025, B Lab released a significant update to its certification standards, elevating human rights to one of seven mandatory impact topics for all certified B Corps. This new approach aligns the B Corp movement with the globally recognized UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The new standards include key requirements such as publishing a human rights policy, identifying and assessing potential negative human rights impacts, documenting processes for managing impacts, providing channels for concerns, and a commitment to remediation. Companies must also report on the outcomes of their human rights impact assessments and engage with suppliers on human rights objectives. Larger companies have more stringent requirements.
Examples of Leading Human Rights B Corps
Several B Corps are recognized for their leadership in human rights:
Tony’s Chocolonely: This company is dedicated to eliminating modern slavery and child labor in the cocoa industry and advocates for due diligence.
L’OCCITANE Group: This global business incorporates human rights due diligence throughout its value chain.
Ben & Jerry’s: This company focuses on its social mission with human rights and dignity as core values.
By integrating human rights into the certification, B Lab aims for B Corps to move beyond simply avoiding harm and actively contribute to a more just global economy.
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Please feel free to visit amsfulfillment.com and learn more about us. We’ve been doing eCommerce fulfillment for more than twenty years and we are a highly respected third-party fulfillment service (3PL) with many satisfied and successful clients.
