NGOs and trade unions in Germany have launched a campaign to propose a bill that would ensure companies put in place human rights safeguards in their supply chains. A German law would be vital to regulating company behavior in Germany and protecting rights in the supply chains of one of the world’s largest export economies. It could prove a positive influence across the European Union. Germany will have the EU presidency in the second half of 2020 and will be in a great position to help pave the way for EU-wide mandatory due diligence, ensuring strong, rights-respecting business practices in many more countries.

Knowing where products are made is key to stopping human rights abuses in the global supply chain. Human rights and environmental tragedies continue to surface in the global supply chains of German companies.

Fashion sales in Germany fell 1.9 per cent in July 2019 compared to the previous month. Germany is the biggest fashion market in Europe but the country is expected to enter a recession in the third quarter of the year. Fashion consumption in Europe has slowed down. Apparel, footwear and accessories markets weakened in the past few months while the ghost of recession is again haunting Europe.