RIETI this week released a new commentary arguing that Compliance-driven approaches to human rights due diligence risk producing only formalistic, paperwork-driven responses that fail to deliver genuine improvements in working conditions across supply chains.
The commentary states that collaborative approaches that build trust between buyers and suppliers — as seen in Japanese industry initiatives — are essential for translating due diligence obligations into meaningful, sustained behavioral change.
RIETI argues:
Human rights due diligence goes beyond mere responses to institutional frameworks. It requires companies to reflect on, and, where necessary, change their behavior. In increasingly complex global supply chains, strengthening regulatory compliance alone may not be sufficient to address human rights challenges. What is needed is for companies to reassess their actions and purchasing practices, learn across supply chains, and pursue continuous progress over time.
Read the full commentary: Human rights due diligence: a process of behavioral change