New Law Requires Dutch Companies to Identify, Prevent and Report Child Labour in Supply Chains

The Dutch senate has taken a historic step by adapting a new law on child labour due diligence that requires Dutch companies to examine whether child labour occurs in their supply chains, to develop a plan of action should they detect child labour, and to make a declaration that they have addressed child labour in their supply chains. The Act will be effective from January 1, 2020 and companies’ statements will be recorded in a public register.

Until now, Dutch government policy consisted of encouraging companies to address supply chain problems voluntarily, including the issue of child labour, but this approach has been ineffective. Now that the law has been passed by the senate, all companies must declare that they will make efforts to address child labour. 

More information can be found here.