Human Rights
VERACEL CELULOSE: Commitment to Human Rights
Respect that Transforms, Commitment that Inspires/span>
At Veracel, we believe that respect for Human Rights is essential to building a sustainable and just future. Aligned with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), we place human dignity at the center of our operations, guiding our actions with equity, justice, and integrity. Our commitment is to protect, promote, and, when necessary, remedy any potential impacts on human rights across all our relationships. This commitment extends to employees, suppliers, local communities, Indigenous peoples, and other traditional groups. We adopt responsible and sustainable practices to eradicate forced labor — whether child or compulsory — throughout our entire operation, including suppliers and partners, doing our part to ensure a safe, inclusive, and discrimination-free environment for the people in the communities where we operate. We constantly seek to go further, actively contributing to a fairer and more sustainable society. With a proactive approach, we continuously improve our due diligence process to identify, prevent, mitigate, and remediate any potential adverse impacts that may be found in our operations. We strengthen governance practices, promote compliance, and maintain ongoing dialogue with stakeholders. These efforts are complemented by Private Social Investment (PSI) initiatives that address the specific needs of vulnerable groups, fostering lasting and sustainable solutions in our areas of activity. We recognize that identifying and remedying issues is an essential component in the promotion of human rights. To that end, we provide accessible and reliable mechanisms to handle complaints and reports, ensuring that any violations are addressed with fairness, transparency, and accountability. This manifesto reflects our determination to lead by example, driving positive and sustainable change. Together, we build a future in which dignity, justice, and equality are unshakable pillars for the well-being of all people.HUMAN RIGHTS AS THE FOUNDATION OF TERRITORIAL GOVERNANCE
The integration of human rights into our business strategy is one of Veracel’s key approaches to strengthening social resilience and trust within the territory.
In 2025, we conducted a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) led by Anthesis, a global reference in sustainability. The study included field visits and interviews with more than 250 participants — among them employees, suppliers, and local and traditional communities — and analyzed the company’s operations across 11 municipalities in Bahia and partner areas in Minas Gerais.
The assessment, carried out in alignment with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, confirmed that Veracel demonstrates strong risk management across all evaluated dimensions, with recognized best practices in diversity, safety, and community dialogue. In the assessment, opportunities for improvement were identified and will be addressed appropriately.
Territorial Governance
Practices
Our practices consolidate a model of territorial governance grounded in human rights, in which trust, transparency, and continuous dialogue serve as mechanisms for prevention and community resilience.
Traditional
Territories
Respect for traditional territories and local culture, with public recognition from FUNAI for the company’s continuous and non-confrontational dialogue approach.
Diversity
and Inclusion
Progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion, supported by internal policies and a dedicated committee focused on the topic.
Health
and Safety
Robust occupational health and safety practices, with a significant reduction in accidents and advanced protocols implemented throughout the value chain.
Land
Management
Collaborative management of land-related issues, with participatory agreements and solutions developed alongside rural settlements, strengthening access to land and promoting agroecological development.
More than a compliance requirement, human rights are regarded by Veracel as social infrastructure for sustainable development, ensuring that public–private partnerships remain legitimate, lasting, and productive for all stakeholders involved.
Conflict Resolution
How We Do It
Conflict Management through Dialogue and Respect
Every relationship begins with the recognition of the cultural identities, ways of life, and social organization of the communities in the territory. We maintain communication that is free, prior, informed, and conducted in good faith — always in an accessible manner and respecting each community’s own timing, practices, and traditions. Our goal is to ensure that rights, expectations, and opportunities are considered in every company decision, reinforcing a relationship built on mutual trust and understanding.
Our Purpose Is to Build Lasting Relationships
More than addressing isolated situations, Veracel strives to prevent conflicts, strengthen trust, and promote continuous dialogue with the communities in its territory. Each conversation is an opportunity for learning and for jointly building solutions that contribute to sustainable territorial development and harmonious coexistence. We respect the timing, practices, and traditions of each community, ensuring that their needs, expectations, rights, and opportunities are integrated into our decision-making processes. Nurturing relationships is part of our commitment to the future.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE SDGs
Veracel integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its business strategy, actively contributing to building a fairer and more sustainable future. Each of the SDGs highlighted below is reflected in our operations, projects, and territorial initiatives. To learn more about our actions, goals, and results, please visit our Sustainability Report.
2024 Sustainability Report
REPORTS IN ENGLISH FOR DOWNLOAD
REPORTS IN ENGLISH FOR DOWNLOAD
At Veracel, we built OUR WAY, a manner of thinking and acting inside and outside the company. The Veracel Way is described and explained in detail in the Veracel Code of Conduct. The code is developed so that we can all know how to act in the different situations in our professional and personal life or who to turn to when we have questions about what may violate the Best Conduct practices accepted by Veracel.
