Working with human rights in Arla

In 2024, Arla's human rights work focused increasingly on regulatory readiness and strengthened governance. A human rights check was made in Nigeria, and that same year, Arla’s published its first Modern Slavery Statement (Canada) was published​

In 2025,  Arla updated its salient human rights risks in a business setting, ensuring alignment between human rights priorities, operational realities, and risk-based decision-making. ​

In 2026, Arla updated its Code of Conduct, further embedding human rights, ethical standards and responsible business expectations across the organisation

In 2019, Arla increased the focus on partnerships and tangible impact. The Pushti ambassador programme was launched in Bangladesh, employing female entrepreneurs for last mile distribution of dairy products. Arla also strengthened its engagement with smallholder farmers and signed a memorandum of understanding with Kaduna State Government in Nigeria, supporting the DAMAU Households project aimed at improving livelihoods by settling 1000 farmers with 3000 imported cows.​

That year Arla also collaborated with the Danish Institute for Human Rights and held a Human Rights Dialogue Forum, and conducted a human rights assessment in Bahrain.  ​

In 2020, we further embedded human rights into our company polices and risk-based approach. A Parental leave policy aligned with ILO principles was introduced, reinforcing Arla’s commitment to decent work. The company also defined its salient human rights risks, focusing strategically on the most severe risks in its value chain. ​
Human rights assessments were conducted in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

2008 marked the beginning for Arla’s structured approach to human rights, diversity and responsible business conduct. ​
That year Arla became a participant of the UN Global Compact and published its first Code of Conduct.  ​

In 2009, Arla began building insight into human rights risks in its supply chain. ​
The assessment and monitoring of human rights risks in the global south, marked an early move toward risk-based human rights due diligence. ​

In 2010, Arla strengthened focus on global work with diversity and inclusion, and in the same year, CEO Peder Tuborgh formally endorsed the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles, signaling leadership-level commitment to gender equality. ​

In 2011, Arla introduced its Diversity strategy, further strengthening its commitment to equality and inclusion. ​

In 2012, Arla established a global whistleblower service, strengthening mechanisms for reporting and addressing concerns. The same year Arla began employing women in its business in Saudi Arabia. This included hiring female colleagues for the Danya site and market research in Riyadh. ​

In 2014, Arla extends its expectations on responsible conduct in the value chain. The first Code of Conduct for Suppliers was published including human rights and ethical standards more clearly in supplier relationships.