Lidl response to Oxfam's analysis of supermarket HRIAs and commitments
...
Lidl is committed to its corporate due diligence. We are working intensively on minimizing negative impacts in our supply chains, effectively remedying rights violations and using our influence for positive change.
Regarding the overview on page 15 we would like to note that our commitment for three HRIAs per year kicked off in 2021. For 2021 we thus count the HRIAs on berries, tea and banana. The HIRAs on canned tomatoes, wine and shrimp were all started in 2022 and partly had to be finished at the beginning of 2023. Hence, we count them to our 2022 commitment for HRIAs.
In 2023 we initiated three new HRIAs. We are planning to publish them alongside the action plans starting from 2023. Our commitment to HRIAs continues to stand and we are currently in the selection phase for 3 HRIAs to be conducted in 2024. This selection is based on thorough analysis.
Regarding the plan and scope of HRIAs on page 50, we would like to add that we are conducting HRIAs with independent third parties based on the DIHR methodology on HRIA.
We are constantly learning from the HRIAs conducted. The HRIA on berries, which was selected as a case study for the recent publication by Oxfam, is one of the first HRIAs conducted by a retailer which was also published. Same applies to the corresponding action plan. The action plan on berries resulted in the establishment of the Appellando grievance mechanism as a direct consequence, which is currently being set up. As action plans do not focus on short term actions but rather try to strive for mid- and long-term changes, the impact of measures takes some time to unfold...
