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Our Policies and External Commitments

  1. About sustainability
  2. What's new in sustainability?
  3. Sustainability Reports
  4. Our financing of the energy sector
  5. Our Policies and External Commitments
  6. Engaging with stakeholders

We aim to employ the highest business and personal standards when dealing with customers, colleagues and suppliers.

Group Policies

Managing Diversity Policy

We are committed to valuing and promoting diversity in all areas of recruitment, employment, training and promotion. The Group will work towards an environment that is based on meritocracy and inclusiveness, where all employees can develop their full potential, irrespective of their race, gender, marital status, age, disability, religious belief, political opinion or sexual orientation.

Find out more about the Group Managing Diversity Policy (PDF 743KB).

Group Code of Conduct

We aim to employ the highest business and personal standards when dealing with customers, colleagues and suppliers. The RBS Group Code of Conduct is designed to assist employees in acting with integrity and compliance with applicable legislation, rules and regulations. All Group employees are bound by this code. (Note: There are regional variations to this document)

Find out more about the Group Code of Conduct (PDF 473KB).

Group Ethical Code for Suppliers

We are committed to conducting our business with suppliers with openness and integrity, and expect that suppliers operate to these same principles. This document outlines our key commitments to our suppliers, and details our ethical expectations of the companies that we work with.

Find out more about the Group Ethical Code for Suppliers (PDF 117KB).

Group Environment Policy

We are committed to creating strong business growth, which is not achieved at the expense of the environment. The aim of our Environmental Policy is to safeguard the Group's assets and reputation, whilst encouraging the development of more sustainable business solutions.

Find out more about the Group's Environmental Policy (PDF 26KB).

Human Rights

We are committed to respecting and upholding human rights in all areas of our operations and within our sphere of influence, as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Global Compact.

Read the Group's statement on Human Rights (PDF 32KB).

Defence Sector Statement

When considering complex and evolving defence-related matters, such as landmines and cluster munitions, we adhere to policy guidance from the UK government and the appropriate international legal standards.

Find out more about the Group Defence Sector Statement (PDF 720KB).

External Commitments

Equator Principles

In June 2003, the RBS group was one of the first of the leading banks to adopt the Equator Principles. These are a declaration by several leading banks that they will not provide project finance directly to projects where the borrower will not, or is unable to, comply with these principles of socially responsible investment.

UN Global Compact

The Global Compact was launched by United Nation Secretary General Kofi Annan in July 2000, with the aim of bringing companies together with UN agencies, labour organisations and civil society to support human rights, labour rights, the environment and anti-corruption.

In 2003, the RBS group became a signatory, and is actively participating in the development of this initiative through representation on the Governing Committee of the UK members network.

Please see our 2011 UN Global Compact Communication of Progress for more information.


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