Key Topic: Multi-Stakeholder and Industry-Wide Codes of Conduct
![Jon Esformes (left), Operating Partner of Pacific Tomato Growers, shakes hands with the CIW’s Lucas Benitez on August 12, 2010, after signing a groundbreaking agreement to implement the Fair Food Code of Conduct on Pacific’s farms](/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/comply-chain/images/Step-3-KT3-975x450.jpg)
In certain industries, groups of companies have come together to develop joint social compliance systems that individual companies can adopt by joining the group. Some, but not all, are taking a worker-driven social compliance approach.
Examples of industry codes include:
- Solar Industry Commitment to Environmental & Social Responsibility and accompanying Solar Supply Chain Traceability Protocol as developed by the Solar Energy Industry Association*;
- Better Cotton Initiative’s* Principles and Criteria for companies throughout the cotton supply chain;
- Responsible Business Alliance* for electronics companies;
- Ethical Trading Initiative’s* Base Code for companies in a variety of industries.
There are also industry groups that do not require member adherence to a specific code but have developed general policy statements and statements of commitment for members to adopt. Examples include the Automotive Industry Action Group* and the Consumer Goods Forum’s* Guidance on the Priority Industry Principles on forced labor.
Similarly, there are multilateral and multi-stakeholder groups that have developed guidance for a particular product or line of products. Examples include:
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas Supplement on Tin, Tantalum and Tungsten;
- OECD Due Diligence For Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector;
- OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains; and
- OECD Practical Actions for Companies to Identify and Address the Worst Forms of Child Labor in Mineral Supply Chains.