NCP recommends Genetec elaborate human rights policy after NGO's Iran market claims

The Canadian National Contact Point (NCP), the governmental organisation responsible for providing recommendations on OECD Guidelines, has released final details on concerns submitted by Justice Beyond Borders and Justice for Iran regarding the Montreal-based technology firm Genetec.

The two NGOs alleged that Genetec's security management platform, "Security Centre", was being sold through Iran-based distributors while claiming it enabled Iranian government entities to enable human rights abuses. The platform specialises in government and business security solutions, license plate recognition, and software development for video surveillance. The company states that the software is used in various sectors, from retail to law enforcement.

JBB and JFI informed the NCP that they had identified three Iranian-based companies claiming to be Genetec partners as of December 2024. JBB and JFI are both UK-based organisations working to "hold the perpetrators of serious human rights violations…which have been committed by Iran or by Iranian officials, accountable," according to the NCP summary. 

The NGO's claimed "these companies conducted projects for the Iranian government and that the Security Centre product had therefore potentially been made available to Iran's 'security apparatuses to monitor and suppress any form of dissent in the country among its own citizens.'"

Genetec noted that certain Iranian companies have misrepresented themselves as official providers while illegally selling counterfeit Genetec products in Iran, with unauthorised usage of the company's name and branding. 

Upon reviewing both parties' submissions, the NCP deemed that Genetec's sale of products in Iran did not warrant any further consideration. In a submission to the NCP, Genetec "categorically denied" any business relationships with Iranian Channel partners. They also claimed that the company ceased selling hardware to the Iranian market in 2014 and subsequently software in 2018.

Genetec stated that it employs software fraud prevention teams in collaboration with international authorities to identify and eliminate businesses that falsely claim to be Genetec partners.

The NCP recommended that Genetec elaborate on its human rights policy in a single, publicly available document. Additionally, the company should publish more information on how its policy commitment to respect human rights is implemented through due diligence.

In a statement to TechDay, Genetec said the claims made against the company in the review were "unfounded."

"Genetec conducts business in accordance with all applicable international laws, regulations, and sanctions. We do not operate in countries subject to trade restrictions or embargoes imposed by Canada, the European Union, the United States, or other relevant authorities," the company said in an emailed statement. "Genetec does not pursue, market, or advertise its products in Iran. Our channel partners are contractually prohibited from doing business there and must comply with applicable sanctions and our internal policies."

The NCP stated that a direct link to human rights impacts from Genetec's activities could be determined. "In light of the Respondent's stated decision to stop selling / servicing its software products in Iran in 2018, and its categorical denial of having business relationships with the entities cited by [JBB and JFI], it was difficult to see a link between the enterprise's current activities and the adverse impacts on human rights in Iran claimed by the Notifier."

The NCP stressed, "This Final Statement does not make any determination as to whether the Respondent has observed the Guidelines. This Final Statement should not be seen as validating to any degree – one way or the other – claims made by either the Notifier or Respondent." Both parties were given the opportunity to review the Final Statement before its publication.

The NCP will follow up with both parties on its recommendation six months from the publication of this statement.