A Guide to Strengthening Labor & Human Rights in the Beauty Supply Chain and Beyond

The white paper explains that the beauty industry’s expansive supply chain presents significant human rights challenges, including the risk of modern slavery, which globally affects an estimated 50 million people, with over 12 million being children. It emphasizes that protecting human rights is not just a moral obligation but also a legal and business necessity. Companies that fail to demonstrate a genuine commitment to human rights may face legal penalties, reputational damage, and loss of consumer trust.

The white paper provides an 8-step guide for suppliers, based on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct, to help them improve their labor and human rights management.

These steps include:

• Understanding the scope of modern slavery and human rights standards.
• Conducting human rights risk assessments across the supply chain, prioritizing high-risk areas and engaging with stakeholders.
• Creating and implementing policies on modern slavery and human rights, and establishing a supplier code of conduct.
• Carrying out risk-based due diligence of suppliers through screening, regular monitoring, and remediation.
• Encouraging suppliers to support human rights training for workers.
• Establishing reporting and grievance mechanisms that are confidential, anonymous, and accessible to all workers.
• Monitoring and remediating issues by tracking progress, taking corrective actions, and having clear escalation policies.
• Communicating and collaborating with suppliers and industry groups to stay informed on emerging risks and align with industry standards.

The white paper concludes that a strong commitment to human rights requires dedicated leadership, accountability, and a willingness to drive change. Suppliers who embrace transparency and continuous improvement will be better positioned to strengthen client relationships and meet evolving legal and ethical standards.