“Exploring human rights due diligence”, 17 October 2016

[There are m]ajor differences between companies which carried out specific human rights due diligence and those which engaged other types of review mechanisms. Almost ½ of respondents had never conducted a due diligence or risk assessment process…expressly focused on human rights…Determining “how far is far enough” when engaging in supply chain due diligence is a challenge for many businesses…It is difficult to change a company’s focus from risk to the business to impacts/risks to rights-holders. Managing responsibility for impacts caused by third parties is a common issue…Contractual provisions (including specific human rights clauses) are the current most common action used to prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts followed by codes of conduct, inspections and training…The main methods for identifying human rights impacts are…research and studies, audits…investigations, independent expert reports and stakeholder and supplier consultations. Grievance mechanisms seem to be under-utilised…Human rights due diligence is most effective where it is cross-departmental, including involvement from CSR, legal, operational and the board…