A law is to require suppliers to higher Social and environmental standards. Ironically, notorious corporate demand.

For example, fashion chains: what are the Social and environmental standards in the production? Photo: Müller-Stauffenberg/imago

BERLIN taz | walls trade associations such as the Federation of German industries (BDI) and the Association of employers (BDA). However, large companies are pressing for a supply chain act, which aims to improve global labor and environmental conditions.

In a position paper, which the taz exists, say, among other things, Adidas, BMW, Bayer, Daimler, Deichmann, H&M, Mondelēz, Nestlé and Philips "in principle, for a sufficiently clear and workable EU-wide regulatory framework".

It comes to problems like this: The workers in the factories of Asia to get for the sewing of T-Shirts, Jeans and sports shoes is usually much to low wages. The food conglomerate Nestlé has had to deal, for example, to deal with accusations of child labour on cocoa plantations in West Africa. Car manufacturers have problems with raw materials, such as leather and metal, which come from environmentally and socially unsound production.

The position paper of the companies support for development Minister Gerd Müller (CSU) and Minister of labour, Hubertus Heil (SPD), the work on the design of a supply chain law.

"Nestlé is a legal regulation for the Definition of the human rights due Diligence requirements for companies", on the other hand says Achim Drewes, chief lobbyist of the group in Germany. The first national approach, the Müller and healing push was in order. "We can live with a national scheme – in the hope that it brings dynamic in the debates of the EU," says Drewes. "A Europe-wide regulation is one of our main concerns."

this process want to Delay, however, both the BDI and the BDA. Just this Monday, the BDI published a corresponding Declaration. The Situation appears paradoxical: Why ask companies to regulation by the state? Answer: companies such as Nestlé have already tried to improve the working conditions, because for example, consider child labour as the economic, legal and Image risk. Such efforts, however, cause costs, which can save competitors, which continue as before.

there Would be a German or European chain law, it should apply to all companies. "Such a law would reduce the cost disadvantages to the company, the higher people implement legal Standards," says Drewes.