Forced Labour in UK Supply Chain Call for evidence

We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on the Joint Committee on Human Rights Call for Evidence on Forced Labour in UK Supply Chains.

The UK solar industry does not condone forced labour anywhere in the global solar supply chain, and has made an explicit commitment to further strengthening its responsible sourcing practices, specifically including the risk of forced labour. UK businesses have taken market-leading positions on minimising the risk of exposure to forced labour – for example, by supporting the development of supply chain traceability procedures that means they can avoid procurement from regions at risk of human rights abuses – and Solar Energy UK is a co-founder with SolarPower Europe of the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI), the solar-specific initiative that is backed by international lenders, includes a multi-stakeholder board, and has developed specific Standards to support responsible sourcing and minimise the risk of exposure to forced labour.

We are pleased to provide a range of evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights to consider on these topics. This includes:

1. The evolution of the public commitments the UK solar industry has made to identifying and addressing potential exposure to forced labour.

2. An explanation of key industry developments, such as the development of raw material tracing techniques, and the publication of specific guidance on how to manage procurement risk.

3. A description of the procurement practices UK solar companies follow to help prevent products linked to forced labour from entering the UK.

4. An overview of the SSI, the industry and investor engagement it has generated, and how it will enable businesses of all size to support more sustainable supply chains.

5.  Discussion of how the UK can draw on internationally recognised best practice principles, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), to ensure all relevant business carry out an appropriate level of due diligence

Download pdf