The United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights are the guidelines by which to implement the UN's "respect, protect and remedy" framework.Endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 these guiding principles are grounded in:

1. States responsibility to respect, protect and fulfill human rights and fundamental freedoms;
2. The role of business enterprises as specialized organs of society performing specialized functions, required to comply with all applicable laws and to respect human rights;
3. The need for rights and obligations to be matched to appropriate and effective remedies when breached

These guiding principles apply to all states and business ventures across borders and are in effect international law.To learn more about the UN Guiding Principles click here.