Key Topic: Multi-Stakeholder and Industry-Wide Codes of Conduct

In certain industries, groups of companies have come together to develop joint labor due diligence systems that individual companies can adopt by joining the group.

Examples of industry codes include:

• Better Cotton Initiative’s* Principles and Criteria for companies throughout the cotton supply chain;

• Responsible Business Alliance* for electronics companies;

• Ethical Trading Initiative’s* Base Code for companies in a variety of industries.

There are also industry groups that do not require member adherence to a specific code but have developed general policy statements and statements of commitment for members to adopt. Examples include the Automotive Industry Action Group* and the Consumer Goods Forum’s* Guidance on the Priority Industry Principles on forced labor.

Similarly, there are multilateral and multi-stakeholder groups that have developed guidance for a particular product or line of products. Examples include: 

• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas Supplement on Tin, Tantalum and Tungsten; 

• OECD Due Diligence For Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector;

• OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains; and 

• OECD Practical Actions for Companies to Identify and Address the Worst Forms of Child Labor in Mineral Supply Chains.