International Corporate Social Responsibility

STONE NV operates internationally in the trade and processing of natural stone. This comes with a major responsibility, also beyond Belgium. For many years, we have worked to make our entire supply chain transparent, safe, and socially responsible.

Our commitment extends from factories and quarries to cobble yards and home based workers, ensuring that every step of the chain contributes to better working conditions and a healthier living environment.

Our involvement in the TruStone IMVO Initiative

STONE NV is a member of BNSA and has been actively involved in the TruStone initiative since 2019.

This cooperation between companies, governments, trade unions, and civil society organisations focuses on responsible and ethical natural stone supply chains. Its goal is clear: to identify and address risks such as human rights violations, child labour, unsafe working conditions, and environmental damage.

Within TruStone we work together to:

• increase transparency throughout the supply chain
• map risks in countries with structural challenges
• develop and roll out concrete improvement programmes with suppliers
• monitor and discuss variations in working conditions

Rajasthan in India was identified early on as a priority risk area, confirmed through our own visits and external research. Our approach has since evolved into a long term engagement with several local partners.

Concrete improvement efforts in India

Together with Arisa and local organisations in India, we have been working for several years on targeted improvements in the sandstone supply chain. Important progress has been made in factories, quarries, cobble yards, and among home based workers.

Improvements at our supplier Bundi Silica

At Bundi Silica, a shared supplier of STONE NV and Brachot, a thorough risk assessment was carried out. Based on the results, a tailored improvement plan was developed and implemented. It has already led to significant progress:

• formal registration of all workers, including correct identification and wage documentation
• enrolment of workers in social security schemes, supported by training on rights and entitlements
• regular health and safety training, as well as first aid instruction
• improved work processes and stronger use of personal protective equipment
• awareness sessions on workers’ rights, compensation, and safe work practices

A major achievement is the establishment of an internal grievance committee with equal representation of workers and management.

This committee identifies, records, and resolves issues, increasing worker participation and strengthening their sense of empowerment.

Progress at the quarry

Since June 2025, an intensive improvement programme has been running at the quarry, which employs around six hundred people. The programme focuses on:

• training senior and middle management on human rights and labour regulations
• health and safety training for workers
• the creation of a grievance committee and a safety committee
• additional investments by the quarry, including:
  • a sewage treatment plant
  • a covered and safe workspace for cobble workers
  • drinking water points and sanitation facilities
  • a crèche for workers’ children

These actions strengthen working conditions and increase involvement of workers in their own safety and wellbeing.

Next steps: cobble yards and home based workers

The work does not end at factory and quarry level. A large part of the sandstone supply chain takes place further down, in cobble yards and within home based work, where many women are employed.

In September, STONE NV, Brachot, Arisa, and local stakeholders held a joint meeting to initiate improvements in these areas. Ten cobble yards have committed to participating in this improvement programme, focusing on safer workplaces, fairer wages, and better conditions for home based workers.

Our Code of Conduct and supply chain transparency

STONE NV has developed its own Code of Conduct in cooperation with BNSA. This code translates our legal, ethical, social, and environmental values. It forms a fixed part of our supplier and procurement management. Product, price, and availability are important, but the Code of Conduct is equally essential in every partnership.

We continue to monitor suppliers through visits, document checks, and dialogue. Our approach is always based on cooperation, mutual understanding, and continuous improvement.

A chain wide approach for lasting impact

The progress achieved in Rajasthan demonstrates that genuine impact is only possible when all parties work together. Importers, exporters, manufacturers, cobble yards, home based workers, and local organisations each play a crucial role.

Stone remains committed to a transparent, responsible, and human centred natural stone sector, with lasting attention to both social and environmental impact.