Standard

Development

In 2007 the Social- and Environmental Standard Fair Stone was developed by WiN=WiN GmbH - Agency for global Responsibility in close cooperation with experts from the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and other international experts. The standard focuses on ILO Conventions as well on safety and health at the workplaces, the management system and environmental issues. Its objective is to improve the working conditions in quarries and factories for natural stones in emerging economies. In 2014, the non-profit association Fair Stone e.V. was founded. Until now, Fair Stone e.V. takes care of natural stone supply chains from China, Vietnam and India.

Content

The Fair Stone Standard includes the four main sections Occupational Safety and Health, Human and Labour rights, Environment and Management System. Special criteria exist for quarries, stone processing factories, the supply chain as such, (Associated) Partners and the Management System.

Comprehensive criteria for the improvement of working conditions in stone processing factories and quarries include the eight core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) as well as additional regulations going beyond these conventions regarding Occupational Health and Safety. The national law has to be adhered to as well as to environmental ones. The criteria are divided in following sections:

1. Organization and Management in Fair Stone factories
2. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
   1. Organizational preconditions regarding OSH
   2. Risk assessment and prevention
   3. Training and instruction
   4. Maintenance and inspection
   5. First Aid and prevention of fire
   6. Personal Protective Equipment
   7. Work place safety
   8. Prevention of silicosis and mineral dust
   9. Prevention of noise and vibration
   10. Handling of harmful substances
   11. Machinery and facilities
   12. Electrical appliances
   13. Storage keeping
   14. Transport and Lifting devices
   15. Ergonomics
   16. Service facilities for personnel
3. Labour Law
   1. Prevention of discrimination
   2. Adherence to national laws and regulations
   3. Working contracts
   4. The right to collective bargaining (China special case)
   5. Working hours, breaks, holidays
   6. Salary and wages
   7. Social security
4. Environmental protection
   1. Life cycling, renaturation of quarries
   2. Waste management
   3. Energy and water usage

The mentioned criteria include the internationally approved ILO core conventions.

The whole standard can be downloaded here.