CIPS supports new mandatory human rights due diligence rules
By Procurement Desk · 07 November 2026
The UK Government has committed to introducing mandatory human rights due diligence, moving beyond voluntary modern slavery reporting to active supply chain responsibility.
The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) has welcomed the UK Government's decision to implement mandatory human rights due diligence legislation. This shift represents a move away from the voluntary reporting framework established by the Modern Slavery Act 2015 towards a system where businesses must actively identify, prevent, and remediate labour abuses within their global supply chains.
The initiative follows extensive campaigning by a coalition including CIPS Foundation and the charity Unseen. The proposed legal changes aim to align the UK with other G7 nations and ensure that goods produced via forced labour are prevented from entering the domestic market. Recent data highlights the urgency of this move, with labour exploitation cases in the UK rising by 65% over the past year.
For procurement and supply chain managers, this transition means moving beyond 'compliance-led' activity, such as merely publishing annual statements. Professional buyers will increasingly be expected to demonstrate deeper visibility into Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers, where visibility currently remains low at 26% and 18% respectively. This will likely require more robust supplier auditing and the integration of human rights metrics into standard commercial decisions.
CIPS emphasises that procurement is where these human rights commitments become reality through supplier selection, contract management, and lead-time setting. By making these requirements mandatory, the government aims to create a level playing field, ensuring ethical businesses are not undercut by competitors benefiting from exploitative practices.
Source: CIPS