Sector-specific guides
The implementation of human rights and environmental due diligence obligations depends heavily on the specific business model, the sector and the position within the value chain. Each market segment faces its own unique challenges ranging from complex global supply chains to specific working conditions in the service sector. This directory provides you with targeted guidance, industry standards and practical support tailored to your specific sector.
A Human Rights Due Diligence Guide for the Danish Construction Sector
This sector-specific guide examines environmental and human rights responsibilities in the construction sector against the backdrop of the European CSRD and CSDDD regulations. The two-part document first provides a comprehensive introduction to risk management and, in the second part, analyses in detail every single phase of the construction value chain from the initial land acquisition and raw material sourcing right through to the final demolition and recycling.
- Author:
Danish Institute for Human Rights
- Publication:
2023
- Download:
A human rights due diligence guide for the danish construction sector [PDF]
- Further information:
Fair Recruitment Initiative Strategy 2026–2030: The way forward, from policy to practice
This global strategy paper from the International Labour Organization (ILO) sets out the modern, global framework for fair recruitment practices. The four-part strategy systematically tackles labour exploitation, discrimination and country-specific recruitment fees, which particularly affect migrant workers. The guide provides evidence-based tools and models for national legislative reforms, as well as fair business practices between employers and recruitment agencies.
- Author:
International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Publication:
2025
- Download:
- Further information:
Gen AI for the Global Goals
This joint document explores the immense potential of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) to accelerate progress towards the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is specifically aimed at the private sector and highlights how AI technologies can be used responsibly to enhance the efficiency of sustainable supply chains and the quality of CSRD reporting. At the same time, the publication warns of the environmental and ethical risks associated with the technology and provides concrete governance models.
- Author:
United Nations Global Compact & Accenture
- Publication:
2024
- Download:
- Further information:
Guidance on human rights due diligence – Automotive Industry Sector Dialogue
This comprehensive, six-part series of publications offers the German automotive industry and its suppliers highly detailed guidance on implementing the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. The publications systematically cover all key areas of the legislation: from drafting a legally compliant policy statement and carrying out annual risk analysis, through to establishing remedial measures, reporting and setting up effective complaints mechanisms.
- Author:
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs & Automotive Industry Sector Dialogue
- Publication:
2022
- Download:
- Further information:
Human Rights Due Diligence in the Use of Digital Technology
This official guideline from the UN Secretary-General calls for human rights due diligence to be fully integrated throughout the entire life cycle of digital technologies. It is aimed at developers, operators and users of digital systems. The document describes in detail how risks – such as algorithmic discrimination or surveillance – must be systematically identified, assessed, minimised and communicated transparently in compliance reports.
- Author:
United Nations
- Publication:
2024
- Download:
- Further information:
AI and corporate due diligence regarding human rights
This forward-looking guide addresses the ethical, social and legal risks associated with the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the context of the European AI Act. The document analyses three key areas of risk: the misuse of AI for manipulation, a lack of transparency in system design, and discriminatory biases in automated decision-making. It provides practical guidance on how organisations can effectively integrate these specific technological risks into existing due diligence processes.
- Author:
Global Compact Network Germany
- Publication:
2023
- Download:
Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Recommendations for Companies
- Further information:
Guiding principles of the automotive industry for improving sustainability in the supply chain (Drive Sustainability)
This sector guide sets out the shared sustainability expectations that leading car manufacturers have of their global supply networks. The standard sets out detailed requirements in five key areas: business ethics, environmental protection (including carbon neutrality and biodiversity), human rights, occupational health and safety, and responsible raw materials management. This practical guide provides specific recommendations for action, refers to relevant ISO standards and makes it easier for suppliers to implement these directly within their operations.
- Author:
Drive Sustainability
- Publication:
2023
- Download:
Guiding principles of the automotive industry for improving sustainability in the supply chain
- Further information:
Human Rights in Tourism – An Implementation Guideline for Tour Operators (Roundtable on Human Rights in Tourism)
This practical guide helps tour operators and tourism stakeholders to systematically minimise human rights risks in their destinations. The brochure clearly illustrates how the UN Guiding Principles can be integrated into the day-to-day processes of product development, the procurement of hotel accommodation and the management of local partners.
- Author:
Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism
- Publication:
2017
- Download:
Human Rights in Tourism: An Implementation Guide for Tour Operators
- Further information:
OECD Guidance on Due Diligence for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector (OECD)
This globally recognised industry standard supports companies in the textile, garment and footwear sectors in establishing responsible supply chains. Drawing on numerous case studies, this document addresses typical industry risks such as living wages, the use of hazardous chemicals, and child and forced labour. The guide provides specific modules for auditing and the continuous improvement of production facilities.
- Author:
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)
- Publication:
2017
- Download:
- Further information:
OECD FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains (OECD)
These joint guidelines from the OECD and the FAO are aimed at stakeholders in the agri-food sector who trade in or process agricultural commodities. The document proposes a structured five-step plan to enable businesses to identify and assess environmental risks, such as deforestation, and social risks, such as land rights violations, in their supply chains at an early stage.
- Author:
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)
- Publication:
2016
- Download:
OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains
- Further information:
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement in the Extractive Sector (OECD)
Mining and raw materials companies face the challenge of ensuring that local communities and indigenous peoples are appropriately involved in their projects. This guide offers practical advice on how to involve local stakeholders in risk management in a structured and respectful manner. A six-step plan outlines how conflicts can be avoided and shared value created at a local level.
- Author:
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)
- Publication:
2017
- Download:
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement in the Extractive Sector [PDF]
- Further information:
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD)
This guidance, which is highly relevant in terms of international law and regulation, is aimed at companies that import or process minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten or gold (3TG). It provides an internationally harmonised standard for the end-to-end traceability of raw materials from conflict-affected areas. The document has been shown to help companies effectively prevent the financing of armed conflicts and the associated most severe forms of forced labour.
- Author:
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)
- Publication:
2019 (third edition)
- Download:
- Further information:
Practical measures for companies to identify and tackle the worst forms of child labour in mineral supply chains (OECD)
This practical handbook builds directly on the OECD Guidance on Conflict Minerals. It provides companies in the raw materials sector with highly specific guidance on how to identify, combat and prevent the worst forms of child labour in their global mining supply chains. The document contains practical checklists for on-site auditors.
- Author:
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)
- Publication:
2017
- Download:
- Further information: