Updated environmental and social policy for export credit insurance
International standards remain the foundation. The policy statements on human rights and animal welfare have also been updated
International standards remain the foundation
International frameworks remain central to our assessment process. Climate change, pressure on natural resources, working conditions, human rights and the position of local communities can have a direct impact on the feasibility and risks of international projects. For export credit insurance, this means that, in addition to the financial and commercial aspects, careful consideration must also be given to the potential consequences for people, animals and the environment.
Atradius DSB has therefore reviewed and updated its environmental and social policy framework for export credit insurance. In early 2026, the updated policy and the revised policy statements on Human Rights and Animal Welfare were submitted to stakeholders via a public consultation. Following the completion of this process, the final documents were adopted.
International standards remain the foundation
This update does not represent a break with the existing approach. The OECD Common Approaches, the IFC Performance Standards, the World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights remain key reference frameworks for our environmental and social due diligence.
The main change lies in how these frameworks are applied during the assessment process. The updated policy makes it clearer that the depth of an assessment must be proportionate to the potential risks and impacts of a project.
This is not just about the nature and scale of a risk. The actual influence that the parties involved can exert is also taken into account.
Simpler project classification
The classification of projects has also been simplified. Whereas the previous policy had five assessment categories, comprehensive assessments will now use the three internationally recognised categories: A, B and C.
Category A covers projects with potentially significant and possibly irreversible environmental and social impacts. In Category B, the potential impacts may be significant, but are generally more limited in scope and easier to mitigate. Category C is intended for projects with little or no adverse environmental and social impacts.
This brings the classification more directly into line with the OECD Common Approaches and international practice. The risk category then determines what information is required, how in-depth the assessment will be and to what extent, for example, publication, site visits or monitoring are necessary.
A clearer role for banks
A key practical change concerns financed transactions. The new policy sets out more clearly what is expected of a bank in the due diligence process and, where applicable, the monitoring process.
The bank plays a central role in organising the E&S process and facilitating communication between the parties involved. This may include gathering information, monitoring the schedule, appointing an independent Environmental and Social Consultant, organising joint site visits and drawing up an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP).
This role becomes even more prominent during the term of a financing arrangement. The bank monitors the implementation of agreed measures and shares relevant monitoring information with the parties involved. This provides greater clarity regarding the division of responsibilities throughout the entire process, from due diligence to monitoring.
Greater focus on human rights and animal welfare
In parallel with the general environmental and social policy, the policy statements on Human Rights and Animal Welfare have also been updated.
Human rights form an integral part of every environmental and social assessment. Each application is reviewed for potential project-related human rights risks. An increased risk may trigger a comprehensive assessment, which also takes into account risks in the relevant supply chain. The updated statement also places particular emphasis on stakeholder engagement, the use of influence to mitigate risks, and remediation should negative impacts actually occur.
For sectors in which animals play a role, the Animal Welfare policy statement clarifies the assessment framework. International standards from, amongst others, the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Five Freedoms form important principles in this regard. Furthermore, explicit criteria have been laid down under which no export credit insurance will be provided.
What does this mean for exporters and financiers?
For exporters and financiers, the updated policy primarily means that environmental and social issues must be identified at an early stage and in a targeted manner. For projects with limited risks, the assessment can remain proportionate. As the potential impacts increase, so too do the information requirements and the intensity of the due diligence and monitoring.
This means that the policy has not only been updated, but also organised in a more practical way: greater focus where the risks are greatest, a clearer, internationally recognisable classification system, and clearer responsibilities between the parties involved in a project.
The updated Environmental and Social Policy and the accompanying Policy Statements on Human Rights and Animal Welfare can be found on the Atradius DSB website. At present, the documentation is available in Dutch only. Please visit the Dutch page via this link.
Mandy van Leeuwen-Kop - Senior ESG & Sustainability Due Diligence Specialist