Why this framework?
ETI developed this Framework in 2018 in response to the UK Modern Slavery Act (as well as similar emerging legislation in other jurisdictions). Section 54 of the Act requires certain businesses to produce regular Modern Slavery Statements.
This legislation is crucial. It drives improved transparency in supply chains around the world, and has helped drive a race to the top among leading businesses to demonstrate best practice in human rights due diligence.
But the Act did not provide a clear standard for what ‘good’ looked like in a Modern Slavery Statement.
This had three effects:
- Leading businesses did not know what to aim at
- It was difficult to hold businesses to account if they reported poorly
- Investors, consumers and others found it challenging to judge the strengths and weaknesses of a statement
This Framework was designed to address those three challenges.
Who is this framework for?
businesses… to give them greater clarity about what they should include in their statement and how to improve it
civil society… to ensure greater consistency and comparability in the analysis and evaluation of statements
government… to help monitor compliance with and impact of legislation, and to drive change in public procurement decision making
investors… to support them to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of statements
policy makers, parliamentarians, international organisations, researchers… and anyone who is interested in understanding what impact the legislation has had and how to make it more effective