The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in (National) Action: The Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garment and Textile

Abstract

The regulation of transnational corporations is increasingly a multi-actor and multi-level phenomenon. This trend is particularly visible in the garment global value chain. Spurred by the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, a flurry of public and private initiatives addressing responsible production and supply in the global garment industry appeared on the transnational stage. The Dutch government played its part by entering into a national Agreement on Sustainable Garment and Textile (‘Agreement’ or ‘Dutch Agreement’) together with industry, labour unions and non-governmental organisations. The parties to the Agreement undertake specific commitments connected to responsible business conduct and set up a monitoring mechanism for their enforcement. This chapter aims to critically reflect on the Dutch Agreement and the process that led to its conclusion. It does so by putting the Agreement in the context of transnational rule-making by several other actors in different fora. It reflects on the transnational origin of the obligations contained in the Agreement and illustrates its contribution to the implementation of instruments such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector and the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Keywords: UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Business and Human Rights, Garment Sector, Rana Plaza, Transnational Law, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, Supply Chain Regulation

JEL Classification: K31, K33