The initiative advocates a supply chain law in Germany! The aim is for a law to be enacted during this legislative period, which obliges companies in Germany to respect human rights and environmental protection abroad, and makes the company liable for violations of human rights abroad. In Germany, there is currently an opportunity for such a law: The Federal Government has announced in the National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights (NAP) that it will consider introducing a law if less than 50% of the large German companies implement human rights due diligence procedures by 2020 to have. Minister Müller stated in the “Report from Berlin” on June 7th, 2020 that it is becoming apparent that only approx. 30% of the companies answered in questionnaires that they were reviewing the human rights situation in their supply chains. That is well below the required 50% of companies. Therefore it is now time for such a law – which has already been worked out by the ministers Müller and Heil in key points.
However, there is strong headwind from business and business lobby groups. This is why the Supply Chain Act initiative is so important to signal to ministers and politicians that such a law is required and supported by a large part of civil society. Everyone can also express this wish on the campaign website: Petition to Chancellor Merkel Please sign too!
Please have a look: Initiative Lieferkettengesetz
Case studies:
- Mine work: “Gegen die gute Miene zur schlechten Mine hilft nur noch ein gesetzlicher Rahmen“
- Cocoa harvest: “Damit Menschenrechte nicht durch den Kakao gezogen werden, braucht es endlich einen gesetzlichen Rahmen
- Tea: “Für volle Kanne Menschenrechte braucht es endlich einen gesetzlichen Rahmen
- Textile factory: “Für Fashion ohne Victims braucht es endlich einen gesetzlichen Rahmen
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