Thanks to European regulation, U.S. companies have reduced their use of hazardous substances and designed more environmentally friendly products for global markets. By comparison, voluntary initiatives such as monitoring codes of conduct for overseas factories have only "gradually and unevenly" improved conditions...This is the clearest argument I've heard for enforceable global standards, based on a recognized framework like the UN Human Rights Norms for Business, to ensure that all companies respect human rights everywhere in their operations. [refers to Wal-Mart, Target]