This event is by invitation only

Efforts towards harmonisation of expectations on responsible purchasing practices at the industry level are gaining momentum, notably among manufacturers. Recent key developments, for instance the Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative (STTI), seek to facilitate a more balanced buyer-supplier dialogue. Within this context, this session will emphasise the importance of manufacturers having a unified voice and how this may contribute towards greater accountability and a joint and balanced ownership of due diligence responsibilities between buyer and supplier. See background note "Making purchasing practices part of responsible business practice in garment and footwear sector supply chains - an exploration through different angles": https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/background-notes-2022-oecd-forum-on-due-diligence-in-the-garmant-and-footwear-forum.pdf

In the road to due diligence implementation, certain business models and policy approaches are driving better Responsible Business Conduct practices. This opening session will explore perspectives from different stakeholder groups on the types of business models and broader policy initiatives that raise structural opportunities for scaled and improved RBC performance in the sector. A panel will discuss the importance of a number of different approaches, considering business models, supply chain structures, access to finance, design, circularity, transparency expectations, and agreements with trade unions.

This session will provide an overview of different approaches buyers and suppliers are adopting to ensure that purchasing practices enable suppliers to pay living wages. The panel will discuss existing tools and monitoring frameworks that support these actions, and consider the intention-impact gap, what it will take to scale up good practices to achieve impact, and which co-dependent responsible business conduct (RBC) actions (beyond purchasing practices) can support these efforts. See background note "Making purchasing practices part of responsible business practice in garment and footwear sector supply chains - an exploration through different angles": https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/background-notes-2022-oecd-forum-on-due-diligence-in-the-garmant-and-footwear-forum.pdf

The session will provide an overview of the current state of play of responsible purchasing practices (RPP) coverage within due diligence reporting. The session will highlight major barriers to comparable data collection and development of measurable indicators and surveys, as well as share examples of good practice in reporting on purchasing practices across self-reporting, established benchmarks and ESG frameworks. A panel will identify key areas for action and priority next steps to improve development of specific data points and supplier assessments, to allow for sector-wide tracking of this issue. See background note "Making purchasing practices part of responsible business practice in garment and footwear sector supply chains - an exploration through different angles": https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/background-notes-2022-oecd-forum-on-due-diligence-in-the-garmant-and-footwear-forum.pdf

This session will explore challenges, opportunities and practical examples to address RBC risks in the sector from a multi-stakeholder perspective. The Portuguese version of the "OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Textiles and Footwear Sector" will also be launched. English-Spanish interpretation will be provided. The Portuguese translation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/3IekC1f. Esta sesión explorara retos, oportunidades y ejemplos prácticos para abordar le CER en el sector desde la perspectiva de las varias partes interesadas. También será lanzada además la versión en Portugués de la “Guía de la OCDE de debida diligencia para cadenas de suministro responsables en el sector textil y del calzado”. La sesión contará con interpretación simultánea en inglés y español. Se pueden descargar la versión portuguesa de la Guía de la OCDE de debida diligencia para cadenas de suministro responsables en el sector textil y del calzado aquí: https://bit.ly/3IekC1f. Se pueden descargar la versión española de la Guía de la OCDE de debida diligencia para cadenas de suministro responsables en el sector textil y del calzado aquí: https://doi.org/10.1787/59ec2bd3-es This session will take place as a Zoom webinar, please register here: https://meetoecd1.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3L_LqNAPSdCMNIr9IOZl4g

In the wake of COP 26, the UN Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow in November 2021, this session provides an opportunity to reflect on collective steps to bring the sector’s contribution to climate change within global emission reduction targets, as well as preparing adaptation strategies. Hearing from practitioners applying the RBC framework to their climate mitigation and adaptation risks, the session will also provide an overview of a forthcoming OECD tool, developed in partnership with UNFCCC and UNEP, to support companies to conduct due diligence on their climate risks. See background note for this session: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/background-notes-2022-oecd-forum-on-due-diligence-in-the-garmant-and-footwear-forum.pdf

Governments are increasingly strengthening their policy tools on RBC to include legislation on human rights and environmental due diligence. Within this context, this session aims to explore the potential role for sustainability initiatives in the context of mandatory due diligence frameworks. Drawing from the current example of the EU Conflict Minerals regulation and the OECD’s Alignment Assessments, the session will explore the benefits and limitations of recognising credible sustainability initiatives as a means to assessing individual companies’ due diligence practice. The session will also discuss how the OECD’s Alignment Assessment methodologies can support a common understanding of due diligence and a harmonised model for recognising different types of initiatives that are aligned with international due diligence standards. See background note for this session: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/background-notes-2022-oecd-forum-on-due-diligence-in-the-garmant-and-footwear-forum.pdf

Governments are using a range of tools to tackle forced labour risk in global supply chains, from disclosure-based due diligence law, customs border checks and product bans, through to facilitating collaboration and providing issue- and sector-based guidance to businesses based on the OECD due diligence guidance. The session will explore experiences implementing these policies, both from the perspective of government agencies responsible for enforcement, and businesses striving to meet the expectations of the policy measures. Further, the panel will consider how and to what extent these policy approaches are driving forced labour prevention and remediation in the supply chain, through some key examples. See background note for this session: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/background-notes-2022-oecd-forum-on-due-diligence-in-the-garmant-and-footwear-forum.pdf

In 2021, the OECD ran a pilot to support public buyers in integrating OECD risk-based due diligence into their purchases of uniforms and other garments. This session will provide the opportunity to hear from pilot participants on their experiences, and how the pilot has helped them address key challenges. The discussion is framed by the question of how to balance objectives associated with responsible business conduct and public procurement principles like value for money, competition and ample access for companies of any size. The panel will reflect on those areas where public buyers require targeted support from policy makers, as well as types of tools and frameworks adapted to public buyers’ needs (building on existing OECD guidances). See background note for this session: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/background-notes-2022-oecd-forum-on-due-diligence-in-the-garmant-and-footwear-forum.pdf Download the new report "Pilot on integrating OECD due diligence into public procurement in the garment sector": https://www.oecd.org/gov/public-procurement/procurement-and-rbc/pilot-on-integrating-oecd-due-diligence-into-public-procurement-in-the-garment-sector.pdf