Discover Cambodia's First Responsible Business Hub
Why and by whom was the RBH created?
As sustainability and social responsibility become increasingly important in the business world, companies worldwide are facing intensified due diligence duties to analyze and mitigate the negative impacts of their operations on people and the environment. In response to these new mandatory laws on sustainability due diligence, the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham), supported by GIZ FABRIC and the Textile Apparel Footwear and Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC), has established Cambodia's first Responsible Business Hub (RBH). This hub aims to support Cambodian export sectors, particularly the garment, textile, and footwear industry, in adapting and complying with these new regulations and reporting requirements.
What is the mission of the RBH?
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Enhancing Understanding and Preparation: The RBH seeks to improve the private sector's ability to understand and prepare for new sustainable due diligence standards. By providing tailored and free-of-charge information and advisory services, the RBH helps bridge the gap between local businesses and international standards, ultimately improving their competitiveness, sustainability, and capacity for environmental and social due diligence.
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Supporting Cambodian Export Sectors: The RBH functions as a service help desk for local businesses in Cambodia. It aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Cambodian export sectors by offering guidance and support in managing sustainability and due diligence risks. The RBH acts as an intermediary, connecting national and international actors in the global supply chain.
What specifically does the RBH offer the sector?
A range of training tools, advisory services, and recognition programs to support local businesses in their transition towards more responsible business practices. Here are some of the key features and benefits provided by the RBH:
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Knowledge and Awareness Platform: The RBH provides access to a wide range of articles, tips, reports, brochures, and other relevant information related to sustainability and responsible business practices.
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Training Tools: The RBH organizes seminars, expert panels, networking sessions, and peer conversations to facilitate learning and capacity building within the business community. These training tools help businesses understand and comply with sustainability due diligence standards, risk management practices, and other relevant topics.
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Directory of Qualified Service Providers: The RBH maintains a directory of qualified local service providers who offer support in transitioning to more responsible business practices. This directory helps businesses find the right partners and service providers to enhance their sustainability performance.
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Basic Advisory Services: The RBH offers basic advisory services to assist businesses in understanding and implementing sustainability due diligence (DD) standards. Businesses can seek guidance on current legislative changes in export markets, aligning their practices with customer expectations, and improving their sustainability performance.
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Recognition of Responsible Business Practices: The RBH acknowledges and promotes responsible business practices through initiatives like CSR Awards for the Garment Sector. These awards recognize businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability.
What are the benefits for companies using the RBH?
- Better risk management and increased resilience
- Improvement of international reputation
- Identify solutions, services and tools to improve sustainability performance Be better prepared for future sustainability DD regulations
- Better protection of human rights and the environment
- Better understanding of customers' expectations and requirements
General information about the RBH
The service desk in Cambodia joins the growing global RBH Network, which already includes Bangladesh, Vietnam and Serbia. Further hubs are being planned in Mexico, Turkey and Tunisia. The network collaborates closely with local associations and chambers, that function as hosts of the service desks.
The Helpdesk on Business and Human Rights is an important partner of the RBH Network. Companies on both sides of the supply chain thus benefit from the coordinated advisory service. The network is embedded in and complements established support structures for companies, such as the AHK/DIHK and the Business Scouts for Development.
The establishment of the RBH-Network in partner countries is being driven forward by the GIZ project Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) on behalf of the BMZ. The IGS promotes the implementation of human rights and environmental due diligence in global supply chains by scaling and harmonising proven approaches. The IGS enables buying and supplying companies particularly in the garment and electronics sector to exercise shared responsibility for the impacts of their business practices on people and the planet.