UK Supermarkets Call For Greater Supply Chain Accountability

Major UK grocery retailers, including Sainsbury’s, Asda, Aldi, and Marks & Spencer, have joined calls for tougher new legislation requiring businesses to take greater responsibility for human rights and environmental risks across their UK supply chains.

The supermarket operators are among 32 businesses, trade unions, and campaign groups supporting a call for the government to introduce mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for companies operating in the UK, reports Grocery Gazette. 

The coalition has written to the government seeking rules that would oblige companies to identify, prevent, and address harmful practices connected to their operations and international sourcing networks.

The campaign is supported by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), and the Corporate Justice Coalition. 

The three organisations argue that current measures do not go far enough to ensure businesses are held accountable for abuses within their supply chains.

Under the proposed framework, companies would be expected to take preventative action against issues including forced labour, unsafe or exploitative working conditions, environmental pollution, and deforestation.

Supporters say the existing mix of voluntary commitments and legislation, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015, leaves shortcomings in the oversight of corporate business practices. 

They believe mandatory requirements would strengthen protections for vulnerable workers and affected communities while providing a more even footing for companies investing in responsible sourcing.

The campaign follows research by the Fabian Society, which estimated that human rights violations and environmental harm associated with UK supply chains cost the economy approximately £4.4 billion a year.

Previously, the BRC, ETI, and Corporate Justice Coalition have supported mandatory due diligence measures, arguing that a stronger legal framework could improve retail supply chain transparency, help businesses to identify risks earlier, and reduce exposure to unethical sourcing practices.

The latest intervention adds to pressure on the government to establish clearer corporate responsibilities for the social and environmental impacts associated with goods sold in the UK.