Supply Chain Updates: Human Rights Issues

Food companies are increasingly being challenged to police their worldwide supply chains to eliminate human rights violations.  It is no longer sufficient to focus solely on one's own company as businesses are held responsible for the acts of others—often unknown and hidden in today's complex supply chains.  Food companies have heightened exposure because human trafficking can be prevalent on commercial fishing boats, in agricultural fields and in food processing plants.  Plaintiff lawyers, activists and government agencies are alleging new legal theories to hold companies accountable in United States courts. Perkins Coie's lawyers are leaders in developing and implementing effective and defensible supply chain compliance programs. Information on the Freedom Initiative: Freedom Seal _ Public Notice. For more information on our Supply Chain Compliance & Corporate Social Responsibility practice click here.