Human rights
In addition to complying with the legislative frameworks of all the countries where it operates, Intesa Sanpaolo is committed to identifying, mitigating and, where possible, preventing potential human rights abuses linked to its activities, as required under the latest UN guiding principles (Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights).
In this context, a specific Group policy on human rights was approved in December 2017 by the Board of Directors, taking up and developing the principles already present in the Code of Ethics.
In the above-mentioned document – Principles on Human Rights – Intesa Sanpaolo declares that:
- it is committed to help safeguard human rights in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of 1948 and in subsequent international conventions on civil and political rights and on economic, social and cultural rights
- it recognises the principles set out in the ILO (International Labour Organisation) fundamental conventions, particularly the right of association and collective bargaining, the ban on forced and child labour and the elimination of discrimination at work
- it contributes to the fight against corruption, supporting the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines and the anti-corruption principles issued by the United Nations in 2003, including through a “zero tolerance” approach to any cases of corruption.
The policy framework defines areas of responsibility towards each stakeholder, from employees, customers, suppliers to the community.
The implementation and progressive extension of human rights’ protection is monitored through:
- the evaluation of the implementation and governance of the Group’s Code of Ethics, performed also through the assessment by an indipendent third-party, according to the UNI ISO 26000 international standard, with a specific focus on human rights’ issues;
- the sustainability report, which involves stakeholders and defines ESG and climate strategic objectives and the relative metrics and is subject to the certification of an independent auditor outside the Group.
Based on the results of the monitoring processes described above, Intesa Sanpaolo is committed to:
- evaluate the need for updates of the policy;
- define guidelines of intervention to prevent and mitigate possible negative impacts on its stakeholders;
- issue, when needed, further documents related to specific rights and activities.
As a further safeguard measure for all stakeholders, the Code of Ethics mailbox (codice.etico@intesasanpaolo.com) is available and anyone can report cases of non–compliance. Those who make the reports in good faith are protected from any form of retaliation, discrimination or penalisation, ensuring the utmost confidentiality without prejudice to legal obligations.
Intesa Sanpaolo has published the Modern Slavery Statement which describes the measures used to combat the risk of slavery in its activities and in its supply chain. This Statement describes the efforts to combat modern slavery during the reporting period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 (Financial Year 2024) and is made in accordance with the requirements of section 54 of the UK's Modern Slavery Act 2015 and section 13 of the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018.
The Statement, published annually, applies to the following companies within the Group that are required to produce a Statement under the UK Modern Slavery Act and the Australian Modern Slavery Act:
- Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management S.A.
- Intesa Sanpaolo Protezione S.p.A.1
1 Until 30 November 2024 it was called “Intesa Sanpaolo Assicura S.p.A.”
| Modern Slavery Statement - Archive | |
| 2023 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2021 | |
The commitment to sustainable development also aimed at pursuing respect for the environment and human rights is also evident in the choice to join relevant international initiatives that promote dialogue between businesses, supranational bodies and civil society.
Intesa Sanpaolo adheres to the principles of the United Nations Global Compact which provide the development of policies for the fight against corruption, for the protection of human rights, workers' rights and respect for the environment and is committed to pursuing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals with concrete and tangible results.
In its materiality analysis, the issue of human rights is monitored and, in line with what is specified by GRI Standards, in the case of potential negative impacts on human rights, greater weight has been attributed to the severity of the impact (deriving from scales, scope and character of irremediability) compared to its probability of occurrence.
The commitment to human rights is primarily respected within its own reality, but is also promoted towards its stakeholders.
The theme therefore finds space in the attention to people (health and safety, fight against harassment, freedom of trade union association, equal opportunities, parenting support, disability support, family life and home-work conciliation and supplementary pensions), towards customers (privacy, fight against robberies, financial inclusion), suppliers, in commitment to the community and the environment.
In the training platform dedicated to the Group's people, a training line dedicated to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is available.
Our commitment on SDGs
The link between human rights and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is strong. The objectives and results of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group
Membership in international initiatives
The international initiatives to which the Group adheres to pursue sustainability objectives, respect for the environment and human rights.
Last updated 10 April 2025 at 18:41:21
