| A private individual & LLC Omniva Latvia | |
|---|---|
| Lead NCP | Latvia |
| Supporting NCP(s) | Estonia |
| Description | Specific instance alleging a non-observance of the OECD Guidelines. |
| Theme(s) | General policies, Environment |
| Date | 9 Jul 2021 |
| Host country(ies) | Latvia |
| Source | Individuals |
| Industry sector | Other service activities, Transportation and storage |
| Status | Concluded |
| Summary | Read the Initial Assessment published on 14 April 2022: English On 9 July 2021, the Estonian NCP received a submission from a private individual, residing in Latvia, alleging that LLC OMNIVA Latvia, a subsidiary Latvian logistics company owned by an Estonian parent company, did not observe General Policies (Chapter II) and Environment (Chapter VI) provisions of the OECD Guidelines. Specifically, the submitter stated that the Company failed to conform with RBC standards pointing to repeated instances where LLC OMNIVA Latvia courier van drivers parked vehicles near a children’s play area, leaving the vehicles unattended with the engine running. According to the submitter such practice poses threats to public health, safety and the environment, including air and noise pollution. Following coordination between the Estonian and Latvian NCPs, the specific instance was transferred to the Latvian NCP, given that the issues raised had arisen in Latvia and involved a Latvian company. On 14 April 2022, the Latvian NCP issued an initial statement deciding that the specific instance warranted further examination. The Latvian NCP offered its good offices to facilitate informal mediation between the parties, which they both accepted. On 3 February 2022, the NCP issued a final statement concluding the specific instance with agreement between the parties. In the course of the informal mediation procedure the company stated that it had adopted a number of measures to improve its performance on issues relevant to the Specific Instance. For example, it had issued new guidelines for courier drivers. As a result of the good offices, the company took a number of measures in line with the suggestions by the submitter, such as training for the drivers, software-led supervision of driving habits and engine idling, and incentives for drivers. The measures proved to be impactful, decreasing the average fuel consumption (in litres per km) of the company’s fleet by 12% compared with the previous year. The Latvian NCP welcomed the company’s updated internal policies and procedures regarding its environmental and safety activities. The NCP further recommended that the Company introduce risk-based due diligence and a system of environmental management based on accurate data as well as regular monitoring of its activities in light of its environmental and social objectives. A follow up is planned 12 months after issuing the final statement. The Latvian NCP will conduct an on-site visit to LLC OMNIVA Latvia to determine whether the commitments made by the company are being implemented. #environmentaldisclosure #climatechange #shippingandlogistics #localsubsidiary #policychange #follow-up
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