MPs Call for Mandatory Due Diligence to Tackle Supply Chain Abuses
In an era where consumers face immense challenges in verifying the ethical origins of their purchases, legislators are stepping up to demand greater corporate accountability. Martin Rhodes, Labour MP for Glasgow North, argues that it is impractical for individuals to investigate every product they consume, placing the onus on government to ensure due diligence is conducted on behalf of citizens.
The Hidden Costs of Global Supply Chains
Many everyday items, from the clothes we wear to the food on our plates and the batteries powering our devices, carry hidden risks deep within their supply chains. A recent Amnesty International report has exposed oppressive practices and labour rights abuses affecting garment workers in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, linked to numerous global fashion brands. Similarly, a BBC investigation revealed that tomato paste sold in the UK contained tomatoes grown and picked in China using forced labour.
Furthermore, around 70 per cent of the world's cobalt reserves are located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where tens of thousands of children are reported to work in mine sites. The World Benchmarking Alliance's 2026 assessment of 2,000 influential companies found that only 10 per cent assess human rights risks in their supply chains, and merely one in five trace their products to understand environmental impacts.
The Case for Legislative Action
Rhodes is advocating for a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act, which would introduce mandatory due diligence legislation. This law would require companies to monitor and address human rights and environmental harms throughout their supply chains. He emphasizes that such measures can advance poverty reduction, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.
The impact could be significant, potentially holding mining companies accountable across Africa and deterring UK banks from financing deforestation, land seizure, and land conversion in the Amazon. Rhodes notes that there is not only a moral imperative but also a strong business case for this legislation.
Aligning with Global Standards and Business Interests
Many large UK companies are already required to comply with the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive to trade with their biggest external market. Without similar domestic laws, the UK risks becoming a dumping ground for unethically sourced products, undermining British companies that follow best practices. Notably, 50 global businesses, including UK brands like Tesco, Twinings, and John Lewis, have signed statements calling for human rights due diligence legislation.
This legislation could promote more ethical consumption, help companies better manage risks, and support the growth of British businesses by ensuring a level playing field.
Addressing Gaps in Current Legislation
Current laws, such as Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, often fall short by requiring companies only to report on their operations without mandating proactive measures to address and prevent problems. Existing legislation also lacks a comprehensive approach to protecting the environment and tackling human rights abuses.
Illegal deforestation, waterway pollution, and illegal mining all have implicit human rights implications, harming individuals from children poisoned by pollution to those subjected to forced labour. Human rights and environmental issues are inherently linked, and due diligence must address both to be effective. Given that EU regulations cover both areas, failing to do so could leave the UK vulnerable to becoming a dumping ground for environmentally harmful products.
Ensuring Consumer Assurance and Global Standards
Consumers often lack the resources to trace the origins of their clothing, the conditions of farmers growing cocoa for chocolate, or the sources of metals in batteries. What is needed is assurance, underpinned by robust legislation, that companies are held to high standards. This means extending domestic human rights and environmental protections to international supply chains.
A mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence law can achieve this, benefiting business, people, and the planet. This article has been produced as part of The Independent's Rethinking Global Aid project.
