BRUSSELS – Human Rights Watch has published a new report in which it says that audits and certifications for suppliers in industries including fashion aren’t sufficient in measuring social and environmental due diligence.
The organisation points to a “conflict of interest” between auditing firms and their paying clients – which are typically brands and retailers – which can “cloud the social auditing process”.
“Companies should not rely on social audits and certifications to prove adherence to human rights standards in their own operations or global supply chains. Policymakers and regulators should not exempt companies from administrative penalties or civil liability because they have used auditing or certification programmes,” said Aruna Kashyap, Human Rights Watch’s associate economic justice and rights director.
