Client Alert: Human Rights in Supply Chains: How New Laws in Europe and the UK Impact Companies Around the World

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (the "UNGPs"), the Human Rights Council noted the “unprecedented” efforts of companies and governments around the world in promoting respect for human rights. The UNGPs set out actionable steps for companies to adopt in order to prevent human rights abuses in their operations. The UNGPs are not legally binding and are often referred to as “soft-law”; however, there are growing expectations on companies worldwide to adhere to them. This comes at a time when “soft law” obligations are gradually evolving into “hard law” with countries around the world introducing legislation requiring companies to conduct due diligence into potential adverse human rights impacts from their products, operations, and supply chains. 
 
In this article, we consider some of the developments in the European Union (the “EU”) and in the United Kingdom (the “UK”), including recently enacted and proposed new legislation as well as attempts to hold companies to account for their adverse human rights impact through litigation. Much of the legislation applies (or will apply) to certain international companies with operations in the UK and the EU, so it will be of interest to companies around the world. More broadly, the developments demonstrate a clear direction of travel in the evolution of the UNGPs towards “hard law” and an increasing expectation in the market that companies should understand and mitigate human rights risks. These developments may be seen as a sign of things to come around the world.  
 
Read the full alert here.

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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Client Alert: Human Rights in Supply Chains: How New Laws in Europe and the UK Impact Companies Around the World
On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (the "UNGPs"), the Human Rights Council noted the “unprecedented” efforts of companies and governments around the world in promoting respect for human rights. The UNGPs set out actionable steps for companies to adopt in order to prevent human rights abuses in their operations. The UNGPs are not legally binding and are often referred to as “soft-law”; however, there are growing expectations on companies worldwide to adhere to them. This comes at a time when “soft law” obligations are gradually evolving into “hard law” with countries around the world introducing legislation requiring companies to conduct due diligence into potential adverse human rights impacts from their products, operations, and supply chains. 
 
In this article, we consider some of the developments in the European Union (the “EU”) and in the United Kingdom (the “UK”), including recently enacted and proposed new legislation as well as attempts to hold companies to account for their adverse human rights impact through litigation. Much of the legislation applies (or will apply) to certain international companies with operations in the UK and the EU, so it will be of interest to companies around the world. More broadly, the developments demonstrate a clear direction of travel in the evolution of the UNGPs towards “hard law” and an increasing expectation in the market that companies should understand and mitigate human rights risks. These developments may be seen as a sign of things to come around the world.  
 
Read the full alert here.

Related Capabilities

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

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