New Expectations on Apparel and Footwear Manufacturers, Brands and Retailers – Responsible Supply Chains

On February 8, 2017, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued its Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector (Guidance). The Guidance promotes a framework, or an outline, of actions to address and reduce the negative human rights impacts of the sector’s business activities. The 186-page Guidance is specifically addressed to the “garment and footwear sector” and is intended to help enterprises in the sector implement the due diligence recommendations contained in the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.