Respecting Rights or Ticking Boxes? The Role of Auditing and Certification in legislating HRDD

Momentum to enact mandatory human rights due diligence (HRDD) legislation is building around the world. Legislators must determine how to turn the normative standards for HRDD contained in the UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines into binding, hard-law obligations. It is important for lawmakers do achieve the right balance between practical flexibility and normative baseline, to ensure HRDD laws yield real positive impact for people. As a practical example, the side session specifically looks into the potential benefits and risks of social auditing and certification schemes in HRDD systems and unpacks the roles and responsibilities of companies, social auditors and other stakeholders. Speakers form Human Rights Watch and SOMO will present results of recent research. Invited commentators from European Parliament and civil society and webinar participants will discuss recommendations on the role of social auditing and certification in HRDD legislation. This event is jointly hosted by Clean Clothes Campaign, ECCHR, Public Eye and SOMO. Please register to attend this session.