To what extent will due diligence legislation shape purchasing practices & how can suppliers have a voice?

Due diligence legislation tends to be framed as making brands legally responsible for the things their suppliers do (or don’t) do. On the other hand, suppliers tend to point to how brand and retailers’ own behaviour impacts their ability to be compliant. To what extent will impending due diligence legislation hold brands and retailers accountable for their purchasing practices? And importantly, how can suppliers get involved in impending legislation to advocate for the inclusion of stronger language around purchasing practices?

This session brings together individuals advocating for stronger language on purchasing practices within due diligence legislation to discuss: what does legislation as it stands require and why? Is it enough? And if not, what can still be done?

SPEAKERS

Rachel Davis, Vice President and Co-Founder, Shift

Rachel Davis is Co-founder and Vice President of Shift, the leading centre of expertise on the UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights. At Shift, Rachel has led work for the last decade on integrating the UNGPs into national and industry standards, and into corporate practice across a wide range of sectors including financial institutions. She now leads Shift’s work to drive alignment with the UNGPs into the development of mandatory due diligence laws. She was a senior legal advisor to the former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on business and human rights, Harvard Professor John Ruggie (2006-2011) and played a pivotal role in helping develop the UNGPs. She is a Senior Program Fellow with the Corporate Responsibility Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School.

Alexander Kohnstamm, Executive Director, Fair Wear

Alexander has served as Fair Wear’s Executive Director since 2018, bringing to the organisation 25 years of experience with development and international business. Prior to Fair Wear, Alexander held directorial positions at organisations working in a variety of areas including the economics of health in Africa. His focus has always been on galvanising the private sector for human development.