International law handbook

mechanisms dealing with business-related human rights harms.
Commentary
One category of non-State-based grievance mechanisms encompasses those administered by 
a business enterprise alone or with stakeholders, by an industry association or a multi-stakeholder 
group. They are non-judicial, but may use adjudicative, dialogue-based or other culturally appropri-

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Guiding Principles on business and human rights
603
ate and rights-compatible processes. These mechanisms may offer particular benefits such as speed 
of access and remediation, reduced costs and/or transnational reach.
Another category comprises regional and international human rights bodies. These have dealt 
most often with alleged violations by States of their obligations to respect human rights. However, 
some have also dealt with the failure of a State to meet its duty to protect against human rights abuse 
by business enterprises.
States can play a helpful role in raising awareness of, or otherwise facilitating access to, such 
options, alongside the mechanisms provided by States themselves.
29. To make it possible for grievances to be addressed early and remediated directly, busi-
ness enterprises should establish or participate in effective operational-level grievance mecha-