SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSPARENCY AND RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
power is limited to a few . The same circumstances put workers at high risk of coercion and abuse . Many resource rich countries in the developing world are home to extraordinary human rights abuses of workers .
Where did this start ? - UN Guiding Principles Following World War II , the United Nations focused on governments ’ obligations to protect human rights . Over time , there was a growing recognition of the human rights impacts of trade and commerce . In 2011 , the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ( the UNGP ) were adopted . The objective of the UNGP was to enhance business standards and practices as a way for business enterprises to address human rights impacts they cause , contribute to or are directly linked with .
In addition to the UNGP , there have been a long series of “ responsible sourcing ” initiatives promoted by activists , industry groups , and business entities that address particular countries , raw materials , and industries . Many of these initiatives mirror the concepts and approaches in the UNGP but , like the UGDP itself , are optional and do not impose legal requirements on businesses .
In response to these initiatives ( and in light of their own ethical sourcing motivations ), some businesses started to focus more on corporate social responsibility and the impact of responsible business conduct on their supply chains . Many of the companies that focused on these efforts early on were close to the sourcing of raw materials and agricultural products like coffee , cocoa , and cotton .
Until recently , however , the vast majority of procurement professionals continued to focus on the objective standards of price , delivery ,
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