Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions. For SMEs, this means ethical behaviour, transparent policies, fair contracts, anti bribery practices, safeguarding data, and treating customers and staff fairly, especially in local communities.
A practical example, local and repeatable
A Leeds based home improvement company had recurring complaints about unclear quotes and changing timelines. They introduced a simple clear quote template, published a complaints process, trained staff on fair selling, and tightened data handling for customer details. Disputes dropped, trust improved, and their online reviews became more consistent.
- Clear quote template with scope and exclusions
- Published complaints and refund process
- Basic data protection and access controls
- Fewer disputes and faster decisions
- Better reviews and higher conversion rate
- Reduced risk from poor data handling
They added “transparent quotes”, “trusted local contractor Leeds”, and “fair pricing policy” to their SDG:Zero listing. This supported searches like “reliable builder Leeds” and helped customers choose them with confidence.
Quick explainer video
Hear how SDG 16 supports local SMEs, and how transparency and fair processes build lasting trust.
Practical actions for SMEs
Complaints, refunds, delivery times, and what customers can expect, in plain language.
State scope, exclusions, timelines, and change control so disputes do not start.
Anti bribery and gifts guidance, fair selling rules, and expectations for staff and partners.
Access controls, retention rules, and safe storage for files and devices.
A simple way for people to raise concerns without fear, and a fair process to respond.
Listing copy examples you can use
We use clear quotes and fair pricing, with scope and timelines explained upfront to avoid surprises.
We follow an ethical code, avoid unfair selling, and treat customers and staff with respect.
We protect customer information with controlled access and responsible retention practices.
Simple metrics to track
Number of complaints, time to resolve, and outcomes achieved.
Change requests, scope disputes, and rework linked to unclear expectations.
Policy training completion, data incidents, and corrective actions taken.
Turn transparency into local credibility and better reviews
Clear policies and fair processes reduce conflict and build trust. When customers feel safe, informed, and respected, they are more likely to choose you and recommend you. Add SDG 16 to your SDG:Zero listing, then share short updates about improvements you have made.