The ECCHR alleged that, by buying cotton, allegedly produced through the systematic use of child and forced labour in Uzbekistan, Cargill breached...the [OECD] Guidelines...Following discussions...the parties reached an agreement...The main points of the agreement are: “Cargill does not condone the use of abusive, enforced or illegal labour wherever this may occur. It recognises that there have been serious allegations about the systematic use of forced child labour in Uzbekistan and would wish such allegations to be investigated by an appropriate independent international organisation. ECCHR believes that businesses have a responsibility to take active steps to prevent such practices as forced child labour in the supply chain. With this in mind, Cargill and ECCHR have agreed to certain undertakings. ECCHR and Cargill will inform each other and exchange views on a regular basis in the next 12 months...ECCHR wishes it to be noted that, although it is prepared for the time being to drop its request to Cargill for a cessation of trading in Uzbekistan cotton, it still believes that this remains a possible and appropriate course of action if other change efforts prove unsuccessful.”