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9 July 2015

G7 leaders declare support for greater sustainability in global supply chains

The seven leaders of the world's most industrialised nations, the G7 group, pledged to promote "labour rights, decent working conditions and environmental protection in global supply chains" following the G7 Summit in Germany. The leaders also stated that they recognise “the joint responsibility of governments and business to foster sustainable supply chains and encourage best practices”. The comments are contained in the Leaders' Declaration, a document summarising the summit's outcomes.

“Unsafe and poor working conditions lead to significant social and economic losses and are linked to environmental damage. Given our prominent share in the globalisation process, G7 countries have an important role to play,” states the declaration. The G7 group also confirms their support for the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and for a “Vision Zero Fund” to be established in cooperation with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which will help to prevent and reduce workplace-related deaths and serious injuries by strengthening public frameworks and establishing sustainable business practices.

The leaders “encourage enterprises active or headquartered in our countries to implement due diligence procedures regarding their supply chains", and go on to say that they "will take action to promote better working conditions by increasing transparency, promoting identification and prevention of risks and strengthening complaint mechanisms". The document also states that the G7 group will offer greater support to SMEs to “develop a common understanding of due diligence and responsible supply chain management” and that they will “strengthen multi-stakeholder initiatives in our countries and in partner countries, including in the textile and ready-made garment sector, building upon good practices learned from the Rana Plaza aftermath.”

For more information, visit Supply Chain Management.