Supply chain act

For the sustainable protection of human rights in our supply chain - With effect from 01.01.2023, the supply chain act was passed by the federal cabinet in March 2021. Until then, it is important having implemented the necessary measures. Environmental concerns are also relevant if they lead to human rights violations, e.g. through poisoned water. In order to implement the UN guiding principles on business and human rights in Germany, the federal government had relied on voluntary commitment for many years and adopted the national action plan on business and human rights.
A monitoring system was set up with independent service providers to check whether larger companies are fulfilling their human rights due diligence obligations in their supply chains.
The target of 50 percent was clearly missed. In the new supply chain act for companies with more than 3,000 employees (more than 600 companies in Germany), clear requirements for corporate due diligence have now been defined. These extend to the entire supply chain. The aim is to improve the protection of human rights.
And here lies the special challenge for GEDIA, because it affects all GEDIA locations with approx. 3,500 suppliers, of which more than approx. 600 are direct suppliers in emerging and developing countries. Compliance will be checked by external authorities in the future. They check the company reports and follow up on complaints submitted. Until then, it is important to drive the necessary measures forward.