The ethical supply chain Industry is abuzz with news of the upcoming Seventh Annual UL Responsible Sourcing Summit : Refocusing the Lens on Human Rights - being held in Los Angeles on February 9, 2012.

In addition to being an important source of cutting-edge content, the event is a robust networking platform that consistently attracts CSR and supply chain practitioners from all over the globe.

As an added attraction, UL Responsible Sourcing is the proud sponsor of the American Apparel and Footwear Association’s (AAFA) periodic Social and Environmental Committee meetings, to be hosted February 7th and 8th in Los Angeles. Combining these two events ensures a successful networking and learning opportunity for all attendees.

The 2012 UL Responsible Sourcing Summit will feature the following sessions:

• The Moment of Truth: Can John Ruggie’s Human Rights Guiding Principles Spring to Life?

During his tenure, John Ruggie introduced a body of Guiding Principles, offering a framework through which governments and businesses can more effectively address the risk to human rights. This session, takes a look at those principles and examines how cutting-edge companies are bringing his recommendations to fruition, and presents insight on how companies are using his framework to mitigate the risk for human rights infractions in their supply chain.

• In the Trenches: A Look at how Innovative Companies are Tackling Slavery and Human Trafficking

The need to combat slavery and human trafficking has become all-the-more pressing with the rise of regulatory scrutiny. Many supply chain managers however, are scratching their heads, and wondering just how to address this very complex problem. Get pragmatic tips on how companies are taking a stance against this global epidemic—and making their supply chains more secure in the process. This session delivers concepts directly from corporations that are implementing realistic tools to mitigate the threat of slavery and human trafficking.

• The Raw Truth: Understanding the Effectiveness of Certification Programs

Each year companies deploy millions of dollars on certification programs, designed to give consumers the peace of mind that the products they are buying were sourced in an ethically responsible manner. Some of these programs certify raw materials, however, potential gaps in the chain of custody systems render it difficult to provide the required assurance that the end product indeed contains only ethically sourced inputs. This session is designed to help companies understand the critical points when tracing raw materials through long and complex value chains. Additionally, it contrasts certification programs from diverse industries, offering useful frameworks and pragmatic ideas for effective implementation.

• Changing Tide: The Proliferation of Migrant Workers in the Global Supply Chain

There are more migrant workers today than ever before in recorded history. But despite its strategic prevalence, this continues to be one of the least understood populations in the workforce. This session sheds light into the unique characteristics of migrant workers, featuring a ground-breaking study that was spearheaded by Rachelle Jackson, Senior Director of Sustainable Practices at UL Responsible Sourcing. Gain an understanding of the benefits, and the risks of having migrant workers in your supply chain. Find out why they are most susceptible to slavery and human trafficking—and the implications that this may have on your business operations.

• Stepped up Vigilance: The Surge in Anti-Corruption Enforcement

The U.K. Bribery Act and the new Securities and Exchange Commission’s whistleblower ruling are part of a marked trend toward increased scrutiny in corrupt business practices. U.S. authorities are allocating more resources to combat corruption and regulators launched a record 82 cases under the Foreign Corrupt Practices in 2010, resulting in numerous multi-million fines. This session examines various enforcement efforts that are underway in the fight against corruption. Learn about the new standards—and find out how to protect your business against damaging corruption scandals.

• It Takes a Village: Harnessing Industry Standardization Efforts to Promote Sustainability and Strengthen Outsourcing Partnerships

Brands are quickly realizing that sustainability cannot thrive as a stand-alone effort. Decentralized sustainability projects create inconsistencies, confusion and major operational headaches for suppliers who find it challenging to meet the diverse requirements from clients. As such, companies are banding together to create industry-wide standardization procedures, helping them to achieve sustainability goals, while reducing costs and fortifying bonds with their outsourcing partners. This session shines a spotlight on some of the most intrepid sustainability standardization projects in the responsible sourcing arena. Find out how collectively, these groups are forging a path toward sustainable outsourcing practices—while improving the bottom line.

For more details, click on: The Seventh Annual UL Responsible Sourcing Summit: Refocusing the Lens on Human Rights.

DON'T MISS OUT ON OUR EARLY BIRD SPECIAL RATES—EXPIRES December 22, 2011.

For AAFA discount coupons, please contact Diana Trigo: diana.trigo@ul.com

Date: February 9, 2012
Location: The Marriott Hotel, 5855 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90045

UL Responsible Sourcing: Dedicated to helping clients build secure and socially responsible relationships with their supply chain partners.

For more from this organization: UL Responsible Sourcing.

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UL

UL is a leading global provider of corporate responsibility auditing and ethical sourcing consulting services, which include monitoring, training, research, and program development. With offices in over 30 countries across five continents, UL Responsible Sourcing has the reach to provide audit services in over 140 countries around the world. UL is part of UL Verification Services, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories). Additional information about UL may be found at www.strquality.com

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