Carlsberg Malaysia recently convened its second Supplier Day, bringing together its network of upstream and manpower suppliers to reaffirm the brewer’s commitment to ethical, people-centric supply chain practices. This year’s edition focused on Human & Labour Rights — underlining the Company’s evolving ambition to move beyond policy and compliance, towards company culture and best-in-class practices.
Held in conjunction with International Human Rights Day, the supplier engagement event underscored Carlsberg Malaysia’s alignment with the newly launched Malaysia National Action Plan on Business & Human Rights (NAPBHR) 2025–2030, alongside the Company’s own refreshed Human Rights Global Policy. It focuses on a people-first approach across the Company’s value chain — highlighting the importance of ethical labour practices, transparency and accountability in sustaining responsible business growth.
More than just an event, the engagement also marks a significant milestone in living out Carlsberg Malaysia’s sustainability ambition of “Together Towards ZERO & Beyond” — embedding human dignity, fair labour practices and shared accountability as non-negotiable standards in every business relationship.
“We are advancing from “what we do” to “how we do it,” placing people at the heart of our business,” said Stefano Clini, Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia. “Our ambition is clear and deeply meaningful: to build a value chain that is sustainable, inclusive, and people centric. One where every individual, regardless of their role, is treated with dignity, fairness, respect, and compassion.”
To translate policy into practical action, the Company introduced its Human & Labour Rights Starter Kit and Self-Assessment Framework to over 60 suppliers in attendance, equipping them with practical tools to identify, assess and address key risks, strengthen governance and close gaps in labour and human rights management. Designed as enablers rather than enforcement mechanisms, the tools aim to foster continuous improvement through shared learning and mutual accountability.
Industry insights were further strengthened through thought-leadership sharing led by Carlsberg Malaysia’s senior management, alongside expert perspectives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and KPMG Malaysia. These discussions explored how businesses can move beyond compliance and embed Human & Labour Rights into everyday decision-making — from procurement practices to value chain oversight.
“Integrating human rights governance into risk management and operational processes is increasingly recognised as a global best practice. Malaysian companies should begin assessing their exposure to human rights risks as part of strengthening competitiveness and meeting stakeholder expectations,” said Koh Ree Nie, Head of ESG Reporting and Assurance from KPMG in Malaysia.
The engagement also provided a platform for open dialogue with suppliers, reinforcing the shared responsibility required to uphold ethical standards. Suppliers in attendance expressed their commitment to elevating labour practices, improve transparency, and align operations with Carlsberg’s Human & Labour Rights expectations.
“Events like Supplier Day create space for open dialogues and collective learning,” said Roisin Quinn, Managing Director of One Complete Solution Sdn. Bhd., a member of SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange), when receiving a token recognition at the event. “It reflects Carlsberg Malaysia’s commitment to true collaboration – working with us beyond setting expectations. It also strengthens trust and gives us clearer, actionable guidance on aligning human and labour practices.”
In today’s global business climate, stakeholders — from regulators to communities — are increasingly demanding transparency, accountability and respect for human and labour rights throughout the value chain. Through two consecutive years of supplier engagement, Carlsberg Malaysia is reaffirming its commitment, not only in brewing excellence but in people-first, sustainable and ethical business practices.
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