Adidas: mandatory human rights laws inevitable

HERZOGENAURACH – A human rights specialist from German sportswear giant adidas says it is not a question of if but when new human rights laws are introduced around multi-nationals and their global supply chains. William Anderson, in-house counsel (human rights), adidas claims, “the signs are clear for all to see,” with a recent precedent having been set by France’s Corporate Duty of Vigilance Law, which calls on large companies to disclose annual due diligence plans. Similarly, the Swiss National Council is currently considering mandatory human rights due diligence legislation. Meanwhile, recent months have seen MEPs renew their call for an EU law that will require companies to carry out human rights due diligence in their supply chains, with the claim that this will “level the playing field for business.”