Protecting the Public Interest

Public safeguards are vitally important to protect people, the air we breathe and the water we drink, and to ensure precious natural resources are not squandered. Society must apply the “precautionary principle,” placing the burden of proof on corporations to demonstrate that their products and practices are safe. Stronger safeguards are necessary, as corporations often operate without limits to their power and work to dismantle existing protections while
using intimidation and surveillance to reach their policy objectives.
 

• Safeguards: Corporations must follow the precautionary principle and must not interfere in the development or implementation of global, national or local policies affecting human rights, health or the environment. Corporations must also require their subsidiaries and suppliers to abide by such policies.
• Independent Oversight: Corporations must respect the independent authority of and refrain from "partnering" with institutions that set standards affecting their business.
• International Institutions and Agreements: Corporations must accept policies that protect people, human rights and the environment and must not use trade agreements or governing institutions (such as the World Trade Organization) to preempt such policies or use them for private gain.
• Local Control: Corporations must honor local control over natural and financial resources.