Duty of vigilance

For several years, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as an essential pillar of the strategy of large organizations. In this context, the duty of vigilance has become a structuring legal framework, forcing companies to anticipate and prevent serious risks related to their activities, in particular in terms of human rights, the environment and health. But what does this duty of vigilance really consist of, and how should businesses comply with it?

The duty of vigilance: an ethical and legal imperative for businesses

‍

What is duty of care?

The duty of vigilance is a legal obligation established in France by the law of 27 March 2017. It requires large companies with more than 5,000 employees (or 10,000 internationally) to develop, publish and implement a vigilance plan to prevent serious attacks:

To human rights and fundamental freedoms
To the health and safety of people
To the environment

This obligation is not limited to the company's direct activities. It also extends to its entire value chain, including its suppliers, subcontractors and commercial partners, in France and abroad.

‍

A responsibility that is part of the entire supply chain

To be in compliance, companies must set up a robust system for collecting and monitoring information from their partners. This means regularly requesting a set of documentary guarantees to verify the commitments and practices of suppliers.

On ethical processes and commitments:

Vigilance plans already existing
CSR policies (Corporate Social Responsibility)
Internal codes of conduct applicable to the subcontracting chain
Social and environmental audits
Ethical commitments or charters of good conduct

These documents make it possible to assess the maturity of partners on ESG issues (environmental, social and governance) and to detect possible areas of non-compliance or risks.

‍

On products and activities:

Environmental and social impact assessments
Sustainability certifications (type ISO 14001, B Corp, Ecocert...)
Environmental or health risk analyses
Certificates of compliance with local and international laws

These elements are essential to ensure that your suppliers' activities do not present major risks to the environment or fundamental rights.

‍

The duty of vigilance: beyond compliance, a performance driver

While perceived as a regulatory constraint, due diligence can also become a competitive advantage. By increasing transparency and traceability, businesses can:

Earning the trust of their customers, who are increasingly sensitive to ethical criteria
Reduce their legal and reputational risks
Encouraging sustainable and responsible innovation
Improve their extra-financial rating (ESG)

‍

Duty of care is no longer an option, it is a legal and moral obligation. Businesses that proactively comply will not only strengthen their resilience, but also their legitimacy in a rapidly changing world. Acting today means building an ethical, sustainable and responsible value chain for tomorrow.

‍

Simplifiez votre gestion

Libérez vos équipes des relances et des tableurs. Suivez votre conformité en temps réel, à grande échelle.

Nous contacter

Nos dernières actualités

Voir plus d'articles

Tracklab, a key partner in the framework of the free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur

The Mercosur free trade agreement (which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay in particular) and the European Union aims to facilitate trade by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers. However, it also introduces challenges related to compliance, traceability, and the management of regulatory requirements, particularly in the food and beverage sector.

WEBINAR: At Tracklab, we believe that AI can be a game changer for Quality teams in the food and beverage industry.

In early April, Tracklab hosted its first webinar to present its vision of AI at the service of GFSI quality systems, praised for its clarity and innovation, and unveiling more than 20 new functionalities to simplify and enhance the work of quality teams.

Which GFSI certification should I choose?

In the food industry, product safety and quality are top priorities. A company that is committed to achieving certification recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) shows its commitment to these core values. But why get GFSI certified? How do you choose the right certification, and how can tools like Tracklab (www.tracklab.co) help with this complex process? Let's decipher.

Why is supplier compliance a key lever for securing your supply chain?

Supplier compliance is essential to secure the food supply chain, by guaranteeing quality, traceability and risk reduction. Tracklab centralizes and automates the management of this compliance, allowing companies to strengthen their supplier relationships while optimizing their processes.

Voir plus d'articles