Some of the world’s largest consumer brands are stepping up efforts to tackle forced labor and improve transparency in global supply chains. Companies ranging from Nestlé and Kellogg to retail giant Walmart have thrown their support behind a new international initiative aimed at strengthening ethical and sustainable sourcing practices.
The effort is being led by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), an industry body that represents around 400 major retailers and manufacturers operating across more than 70 countries. In response to growing consumer scrutiny and regulatory pressure, the CGF announced the launch of a new framework designed to help companies identify and reduce human rights risks embedded in complex global supply networks.
Known as the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI), the program aims to create a common benchmark for assessing supply chain practices. Rather than introducing yet another compliance system, the SSCI will focus on evaluating and aligning existing third-party auditing and certification schemes. The goal is to help companies and suppliers rely on credible standards while avoiding the costly duplication and confusion that often comes with overlapping audits.
Industry leaders say the initiative reflects a shift in expectations from both consumers and investors, who increasingly want assurances that everyday products are not linked to forced labor, exploitation, or environmental harm. By improving consistency and clarity around sustainability standards, the SSCI is intended to make it easier for buyers to make responsible sourcing decisions and for suppliers to meet those expectations.
The move also comes amid broader global efforts to strengthen corporate accountability. Governments in Europe and elsewhere are introducing stricter rules on supply chain due diligence, pushing companies to take greater responsibility for labor conditions beyond their immediate operations.
Supporters of the SSCI argue that collaboration at an industry-wide level is essential to address systemic issues such as modern slavery, which can be deeply embedded in global production networks. By working together, large brands hope to raise standards across entire sectors rather than relying on isolated, company-by-company approaches.
As consumer awareness continues to grow, initiatives like the SSCI signal that ethical sourcing is no longer a niche concern but a core part of how global brands manage risk, protect their reputations, and respond to changing expectations around sustainability and human rights.