A Policy Seminar 23 May 2023

Speakers: James Harrison (University of Warwick), Mark Wielga (Nomogaia)

This webinar presented research findings of an empirical study into Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) and its implications for mandatory HRDD laws. The study provides the first detailed empirical analysis of HRDD on the basis of interviews with practitioners who undertake HRDD for companies. It argues that HRDD has the potential to address both a knowledge problem and an action problem with regard to the human rights performance of transnational corporations.

But the findings of this research identify three key challenges to making HRDD effective; (1) methodological uncertainty about essential components of the process (2) power dynamics between critical actors who are charged with undertaking HRDD and (3) the nature of the competition which takes place between HRDD practitioners. Mandatory HRDD (mHRDD) laws must empower key actors to effectively hold companies accountable for the HRDD they produce, otherwise more radical regulatory interventions need to be considered.

Key outputs discussed during the seminar include:

• A Policy Brief which sets out key findings from the research and recommendations for strengthening mHRDD laws.
• Powerpoint slides for the 23 May 2023 session.
• The Working Paper which sets out the full findings of the research.
• A video of the 23 May 2023 session