Apple…was allowed to disregard one activist shareholder proposal on greenhouse gas emissions but told to hold a vote on another concerning human rights issues, in closely watched securities rulings that tested new guidance from U.S regulators…“It’s confusing to shareholders,” said Christine Jantz, president of a Boston asset management firm, of the SEC’s reasoning. Jantz submitted the unsuccessful proposal on emissions and said it was similar to one the SEC allowed elsewhere last year.

SEC staff…gave companies potentially more room to disregard shareholder proposals related to “ordinary business,” so that investors are not micro-managing executives. Apple quickly cited the new guidance...An SEC spokeswoman declined to comment on the Apple decisions...Apple representatives did not immediately comment...

…Apple…cited the new guidance in seeking to exclude a proposal by investor Jing Zhao calling for the creation of a “human rights committee” to address topics like censorship…Apple said its board and management “firmly believe that human rights are an integral component” of its operations… The SEC turned down’s Apple’s request in a separate…letter…[saying] Apple’s board analysis “does not explain why this particular proposal would not raise a significant issue for the Company”…