Get the latest
Subscribe to our email newsletters and stay up to speed on ethical trade.
Contents
Companies have both a moral and legal responsibility to respect human rights in the way they do business.
International standards like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct make it clear: businesses must understand how their activities—including purchasing practices—can be linked to human rights risks, and take action to prevent harm.
As awareness grows around the connection between purchasing practices and working conditions, these expectations are becoming more explicit in legislation. The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), for example, requires companies to review their own operations—including purchasing strategies—as part of their due diligence. It makes clear that purchasing practices must not contribute to adverse impacts.
As you engage with leadership and other teams, understanding this shifting legal landscape can help build momentum and support your company to stay ahead of the curve.
Responsible purchasing practices in European legislation
This resource, developed by ETI, takes a closer look at how the CSDDD sets expectations around responsible purchasing. It highlights how the Common Framework for Responsible Purchasing Practices can be used as a reference tool to help meet these requirements.
While the resource is based on the Common Framework for manufacturing industries — adapted to be less sector-specific — the principles remain highly relevant and recognisable for the garment and footwear sector.