"Doing the right thing" and "doing things right" are two essential principles that can help companies to strengthen human rights and protect the environment in their supply chains.

By "doing the right thing," we are referring to acting ethically and following moral principles, such as respect for human rights and the environment. This concept is reflected in a company’s efforts to make decisions and take actions that are consistent with its values and commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

"Doing things right" refers to following good practices and processes to achieve desired outcomes. In the context of protecting human rights and the environment in supply chains, companies should implement robust systems and processes to ensure that their suppliers meet their standards and commitments. Examples of these standards can include:

• establishing clear policies and expectations for suppliers,
• monitoring and evaluating their performance, and
• taking corrective action as needed.

By "doing the right thing" and "doing things right," companies can demonstrate their commitment to protecting human rights and the environment in their supply chains and can work to ensure that to uphold these principles throughout their operations.

The recently implemented German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act and the upcoming EU Directive on Corporate Due Diligence is a significant step forward to help companies "do the right thing." Regarding "doing things right," the administrative effort required is an ongoing point of discussion, but an evolution we are sure to see over time.

Lastly, this is new territory also for the regulators. German regulatory body BAFA (the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control)  has published several documents to help give guidance to companies for their way forward.

Notwithstanding regulatory aspects, what benefits do commercial enterprises receive when following a "moral compass" or an "ethical business compass?" How does actively monitoring human rights and environmental protection risks in their supply chain affect direct and indirect suppliers?

There are several benefits for commercial enterprises to follow a business ethical compass and actively monitor supply chain risks in terms of human rights and environmental protection:

• Reputation: By following a moral compass and taking a proactive approach to monitoring and addressing supply chain risks, businesses can enhance their reputation and build trust with customers, investors, and other stakeholders. This aspect is critical today, where consumers and investors increasingly demand that companies act responsibly and sustainably.
• Legal compliance: Many countries have laws and regulations that require businesses to respect human rights and protect the environment in their operations and supply chains. By following a business ethical compass and monitoring supply chain risks, businesses can ensure that they follow these laws and regulations and avoid the costs and risks associated with non-compliance.
• Cost savings: Implementing effective risk management processes for a supply chain can help businesses identify and address potential issues before they escalate into costly problems. This risk management can help businesses avoid supply chain disruptions, reduce product recalls risk, and minimize remediation costs.
• Risk management: By actively monitoring supply chain risks and addressing them, businesses can mitigate the risk of negative impacts on their operations, reputation, and financial performance.
• Innovation and competitive advantage: Adopting sustainable and responsible practices can drive innovation and help businesses differentiate themselves from their competitors. This practice can be beneficial in markets where consumers and investors are increasingly seeking out companies that are proactive in addressing social and environmental issues.

Summary

"Doing the right thing" and "doing things right" can assist companies in improving human rights and environmental protection in the supply chain. Companies should develop solid systems and processes to ensure suppliers meet these requirements and commitments. Following a business ethical compass helps companies develop confidence with consumers, investors, and other stakeholders. Sustainable and responsible practices can boost innovation and set companies apart. This methodology is crucial in areas where consumers are increasingly looking for socially and environmentally responsible companies.

The Council and Parliament's provisional agreement on parts of a comprehensive package to combat money laundering and terrorist financing places a strong focus on two crucial aspects: the transparency of beneficial ownership and the mitigation of risks associated with high-risk third countries.

With regard to beneficial ownership, it is emphasised that transparency and disclosure are crucial in order to effectively combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The agreement reaffirms the need to identify the actual persons (beneficial owners, or UBOs for short) who benefit from or control legal entities and to make this transparent in order to close possible loopholes.

We are particularly pleased with the clear definition of a threshold value for beneficial ownership: the agreement sets this at 25%. The associated provisions for multi-layered ownership and control structures are also clarified so that it is no longer possible to hide behind several layers of company ownership.  This includes the requirement for entities or arrangements associated with persons or entities subject to targeted financial sanctions to be flagged, as well as granting register authorities in charge of registers to conduct on-site inspections at the premises of legal entities if there are doubts about the accuracy of the information in their possession.  Furthermore, the agreement establishes that besides supervisory and public authorities and obliged entities, members of the public with legitimate interests, such as the press and civil society, may also access the registers.

With regard to risks from high-risk third countries, obliged entities are required to take enhanced due diligence measures when doing business with such countries. This is to ensure that the EU financial system is not jeopardised by weaknesses in the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations of these countries.

The agreement emphasises the importance of a risk-based approach and allows Member States and obliged entities to take specific measures to adequately assess and address risks. The texts will now be submitted to the representatives of the Member States and the European Parliament for approval before being formally adopted and published in the Official Journal of the EU.

It is therefore clear that without appropriate digital tools such as Trustnet.Trade from Cargodian for analysing the risks associated with business partners and documenting the outcomes of the risk analysis and assessment, which include identifying beneficial owners (UBO) and assessing risk in specific countries, it will not be possible to meet the new requirements.

On 23 April 2024, the EU Parliament agreed on new regulations that ban selling, importing, and exporting products made using forced labour.  The regulations got overwhelming support, with 555 members in favour, six against, and 45 abstentions.  These regulations are meant to make it tougher for products linked to forced labour to be sold within the EU. The goal is to eliminate any links to modern slavery and human rights abuses in both imports and exports within the EU.

These regulations are also intended to stop the concerning rise of inexpensive products made from forced labour spreading in the EU market.  According to the International Labour Organization, around 28 million people worldwide are in forced labour situations, generating a total of $236 billion (€217 billion) annually.

International Scrutiny on Xinjiang

EU lawmakers were motivated to take action because they are concerned about human rights in the Chinese region of Xinjiang.

In 2021, the United States passed a similar law to protect its market from products that might be connected to human rights violations in Xinjiang.  The U.S. government accuses China of committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.

China denies these accusations, stating that there are no abuses in Xinjiang, despite strong evidence that about 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples have been detained in “re-education” camps.  There, they were trained in different skills and made to work in factories producing a range of products, from chemicals and clothing to car parts.  Xinjiang is also important for cotton production and supplies many of the world’s materials for solar panels.

Who Will Be Subject to The New Regulation?

The key prohibition in this regulation prohibits any “economic operator”, which applies to any business or group of people who sell, import or export products in the EU, from selling, importing or exporting products made with forced labour.

This regulation also focuses on online platforms.  If products are being sold online and the platform targets end-users in the EU, it’s considered as selling products in the EU.  This applies if the platform is targeting end-users in one or more EU countries.

EU Efforts Against Forced Labour

Authorities in each of the 27 countries in the bloc or the executive Commission can investigate questionable products, supply chains, and manufacturers, aiming to complete initial investigations within 30 working days.  This regulation empowers authorities in member states and the European Commission to look into cases where forced labour might have been used, as well as suspicious products, supply chains, and manufacturers.

The European Parliament stated that investigations into suspected cases of forced labour will rely on factual and verifiable information gathered from various sources.  These include international organisations, cooperating authorities, and whistleblowers.  The Commission can ask for help from other Union bodies, offices, or agencies to carry out tasks like investigations.  These tasks include processing information, supporting investigations, and cooperating with Member States and international authorities.  The Commission’s role in making decisions to ban products is separate and impartial.  It should have the expertise and resources needed to fulfill its responsibilities under this Regulation.

Various risk factors and criteria will be considered, such as how much forced labour is controlled by the government in specific industries and locations.  This points to the fact that when the government forces people to work, it creates a big risk across a whole area.  It’s challenging, and sometimes even impossible, to uncover the full extent of such practices particularly in regions where freedom of expression is restricted.

Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights serves as a cornerstone in the fight against forced labour.  It prohibits serious exploitation, even if it’s connected to human trafficking in certain situations.  If there are suspicions related to countries outside the EU, the European Commission can start investigations and request governments in those countries to address instances of forced labour.

Which Stages of the Supply Chain Are Included?

To make sure this regulation is effective, it’s important to ban products made with forced labour at any point of their production, manufacture, harvest, and extraction.  This ban should include all types of products and their parts, and it should apply no matter where the products come from, whether they’re made in the Union or brought in from other places, and whether they’re sold within the Union or exported.  This regulation, however, do not cover transportation services.

What Are the Consequences of Using Forced Labour?

If products are confirmed to be made using forced labour, they will be removed from the market in the EU.  Additionally, if these products are found already being sold in the EU, they will either be donated, recycled, or disposed of.

Moreover, the regulation prohibits products declared to be made using forced labour from being sold online in EU member countries, with shipments coming into the EU being stopped at the borders to prevent the circulation of products made through exploitative labour practices.  However, there are ways for banned products to be allowed back into the market.  This can happen once the company shows that it has removed forced labour from its supply chains.  For certain products that are considered risky, importers will have to give detailed information about the manufacturers.

If a component of a product breaches this rule, only that component needs to be replaced, not the whole thing.  So, the authorities need to consider how much of the product might have been made with forced labour. Here are two examples to explain this:

1. If a component of a printer was made with forced labour, only that component needs to be replaced, not the whole printer. The manufacturer must either find a new supplier for that component or ensure it’s not made with forced labour.  So, in this case, only the component needs to be replaced.
2. If the chilli used in making sauce was made with forced labour, the whole batch of sauce must be discarded. In this case, it’s impossible to discard part of the product.

In some cases where there’s a supply risk to critical products, the authorities might decide not to impose disposal.  Instead, they might direct the company to keep the product until they can prove it wasn’t made with forced labour.

This legislation will affect all businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).  It applies to all products sold on the EU market, whether they’re made in the EU or imported, regardless of the industry.

Companies that do not enforce the regulation will face fines imposed by the member states, with the intention of making the fines fair and discouraging non-compliance.

Public Database on Forced Labour Risk

Forced Labour Single Portal

The Commission will establish a regularly updated database of specific economic sectors in specific geographic areas where the government uses forced labour.  The database will be populated with reliable information from various sources.  These include the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations (UN), and other research or academic groups.

The database should be accessible to the public via the Forced Labour Single Portal.  If there is solid evidence that products from certain industries in certain places are likely made with forced labour by government authorities, those industries and areas should be listed in the database created by this regulation.

Single Information Submission Point

The Commission will create a special central system (called the Single Information Submission Point) where people can submit information.  This system will be in all official languages of the Union, easy to use, and free of charge.  It should be made available to the public at the latest 18 months after the date of entry into force of this regulation.

Anyone, whether a person or a group without legal status, can report suspected violations through this central system.  They need to include details about the companies (economic operators), or products involved, explain why they believe there’s a violation, and provide any evidence or documents they have, if possible.

What’s Next

The regulation needs to be approved by the EU council before they become official.  This step is seen as just a formality.  Once approved and published in the Official Journal, EU member countries will begin enforcing the law within three years.

What Should I Do Now to Prepare?

Use data-driven assessment tools and technology like Trustnet.Trade to create clear visibility, identify risks, and promote sustainable practices throughout your supply chain, including lower tiers.

This is crucial for any sustainability efforts, from statements about modern slavery to reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.  It can also lead to other advantages like improved operational efficiency, stronger risk management, and a supply chain that’s better able to withstand challenges.

Conclusion

The EU Parliament has approved new regulations to fight against forced labour.  These regulations are meant to eliminate any connection to modern slavery in the EU and send a strong message to countries worldwide.  The regulations make it illegal to sell, import, or export products made with forced labour.  The regulations also give power to authorities to investigate suspicious products and supply chains.  The regulations create a public database about forced labour risks and punish those who are non-compliant.  The EU Parliament’s dedication to fighting forced labour reflects a joint effort to uphold human rights and create a fairer world.

Starting 30 December 2024, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will be in full effect.  This new rule requires companies selling products in the EU to ensure their goods do not contribute to deforestation.  Here’s a simple guide on what the EUDR is, who it affects, and how businesses can prepare.

What is the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)?

Why It Matters

Deforestation, mainly driven by the demand for products like coffee, cocoa, timber, and paper, is a major global problem.  About 90% of deforestation is linked to how these products are sourced.  Previous efforts to reduce deforestation have not been very successful, often due to lack of transparency in supply chains.

The EU, the second-largest importer of products causing tropical deforestation, decided to act.  In 2023, they introduced the EUDR to ensure products sold in the EU do not contribute to deforestation, supporting the European Green Deal’s goals.

Key Points of the EUDR

The EUDR requires companies to verify their products are deforestation-free.  This applies to:

• Cattle (beef and leather)
• Cocoa
• Coffee
• Palm oil
• Rubber
• Soy
• Wood (including furniture and paper)

Companies must trace these products back to where they were produced and ensure they follow local and international laws on land use, environmental protection, and human rights.

What Companies Need to Do

Deforestation-Free Checks

Companies must do thorough checks to confirm their products do not cause deforestation.  This includes:

• Data Collection: Gathering detailed information about the product’s origin and supplier.
• Risk Assessment: Identifying any risks of non-compliance.
• Risk Mitigation: Taking steps to reduce any identified risks.

Compliance with Local Legislation

Companies must also ensure their products follow local laws on land use, environmental protection, labour rights, human rights, and the rights of indigenous peoples.

Due Diligence Statement

Businesses need to submit an electronic statement to the European Commission and relevant EU authorities, declaring they have checked their products and found minimal risk of non-compliance.

Important Dates

The EUDR will be implemented in stages:

• 2019: EU starts planning the EUDR.
• 2021: Proposal for the regulation is adopted.
• 2022: Agreement on the regulation.
• 2023: EUDR becomes law on June 29th.
• 2024: Medium and large companies must comply by December 30th.
• 2025: Small and micro-sized companies must comply by June 30th.
• 2028: The regulation will be reviewed every five years starting June 30th.

How Businesses Can Prepare

To comply with the EUDR and ensure a deforestation-free supply chain, businesses should:

1.      Map Your Supply Chains

Gain comprehensive visibility into your supply chains by tracing products back to their origins. Identify any gaps in traceability and areas at high risk for deforestation.

2.      Conduct Risk Assessments

Set up strong systems to collect, verify, and report the origins and production methods of your products.  Regularly assess risks to spot any compliance issues.

3.     Mitigate Risks

Work closely with suppliers to improve practices and ensure they meet EUDR requirements. Communicate with all partners to ensure they understand and comply with the new rules.

4.     Continuously Monitor Progress

Stay updated on any changes or new guidelines related to the EUDR.  Regularly review and update your due diligence processes to stay compliant.

Conclusion

The EU Deforestation Regulation is a significant move towards reducing global deforestation by increasing transparency in supply chains.  By understanding and preparing for the EUDR, businesses can contribute to more sustainable practices and support efforts to protect our forests.

How Trustnet.Trade Can Help

Trustnet.Trade makes compliance management easier through its robust digital platform, centralising data collection and enabling continuous risk monitoring.  It enhances visibility and intelligence regarding quality and compliance data.  Trustnet.Trade helps your company with appropriate risk assessment and thorough supply chain mapping.  Such a centralised approach would make it easier to collect and analyse data efficiently, providing a streamlined solution for maintaining and improving compliance standards.