Measuring Risk-based Human Rights Due Diligence: Sourcing and labour outcome metrics

Abstract

In contrast to existing guidance frameworks for due diligence that focus on global firms describing their programmes (inputs), in this article, we argue that quantitative data on labour outcomes are required to hold global firms to account for human rights harms in their supply chains. We present twenty-five metrics that measure both lead firm sourcing practices and supplier firm labour rights and working conditions. We argue that these metrics are useful for regulators to assess how lead firms covered under due diligence legislation are addressing human rights harms in their supply chains. In addition, they are particularly useful to lead firms themselves in order to assess the level and salience of risks.