TruStone Initiative

TruStone is a joint initiative in which the Flemish and Dutch natural stone sector, governments, NGOs and trade unions work together towards the responsible production and purchase of natural stone. As a member, Brachot commits to responsible business practices that respect people and the environment.

In parts of Asia, Africa and South America, natural stone is extracted under conditions that violate human and labour rights, and the environment is often damaged. Within TruStone, Brachot works with the natural stone sector in Flanders and the Netherlands to tackle these problems. TruStone maps the risks in the sector, such as child labour, forced labour, lack of trade union freedom, and health and safety in the supply chain, and addresses them jointly.

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are the starting point of the TruStone Initiative. They are aligned with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and include the relevant elements of the ILO Core Labour Standards. Together, these standards cover both social and environmental responsibilities.

TruStone membership goes further than certification. Certificates are based on audits that only give a snapshot, and they rarely meet OECD and UNGP standards. TruStone requires a continuous commitment to strict standards, so we work towards a more responsible natural stone supply chain every day.

We take part in TruStone’s risk assessments and stakeholder dialogues. Local organisations implement the priorities from these projects at regional level, and TruStone reports on the progress on its projects page. We also discuss these priorities directly with our suppliers and support their approach where needed.

In 2023, several of our suppliers in Rajasthan introduced the e-Shram card, which ensures transparency of employment and wages. They also installed drinking water points and provided shaded areas.

To follow up on our commitments, we regularly visit the Rajasthan supply chain of our Kandla sandstone, together with other TruStone members and local NGOs. Each visit shows where progress has been made and where we can still improve.

Responsible sourcing is increasingly part of tender requirements and sustainable procurement policies. As a TruStone member, Brachot can share its IRBC policy statement and Code of Conduct for your project. Contact us for more information.

Policy documents