The Business Handbook on Due Diligence in the Cocoa Sector: Addressing Child Labour and Forced Labour (Handbook) helps companies identify, prevent and address risks related to human rights in the cocoa sector, with a focus on child labour and forced labour risks.
The Handbook is based on the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the ILO Conventions on child labour and forced labour, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD Guidelines for MNEs), and the OECD recommendations on risk-based due diligence detailed in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct (OECD Due Diligence Guidance) and the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains (OECD-FAO Guidance). Together these instruments are the leading international, government-backed standards on responsible business conduct and corporate due diligence.
Additional resources
Brochure
This brochure introduces the Business Handbook, presenting the key issues addressed within it. It provides an overview of child labour and forced labour in the cocoa sector and outlines the steps of the OECD due diligence framework. It is a relevant resource for individuals looking to decide if the Business Handbook is the resource for them, or looking to promote the Business Handbook.
Additional resources to support the Handbook
This document complements the Business Handbook. It outlines resources and tools which can help companies operationalise risk-based due diligence to address human rights risks and impacts in the cocoa supply chain, in particular focusing on child labour and forced labour. It also provides examples on the implementation of corporate due diligence in the cocoa sector. Readers are recommended to read the Handbook first and then refer the “Additional Resources” document to supplement their understanding on the issue or to find additional resources.