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Benchmarks
We have evaluated corporate compliance and performance with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) soft-law (multi-lateral frameworks) and hard law (regulations).
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Research contributions on select multilateral frameworks and regulation
targeting responsible business conduct:​
Multilateral frameworks
Regulations
year of passage
2001
Harkin–Engel Protocol
Protocol for the growing and processing of cocoa beans and their derivative products in a manner that complies with ILO Convention 182 concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor
2004
Communication of Progress
UN Global Compact
State of California
Transparency in Supply Chains Act
2010
United States of America
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Title XV, Section 1502
United Nations
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
2011
OECD
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for responsible supply chains of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas
2014
European Union
Directive on disclosure of non-financial and diversity information
United Kingdom
Modern Slavery Act
2015
France
Devoir de vigilance des societés méres et des entreprises donneuses d´ordre
2016
2016
2017
CCCMC
Chinese Due Diligence Guidelines for responsible mineral supply chains
2021
Germany
2022
European Union
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937
Latest Research
LkSG
(2026)
The German Supply Chain Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz - LkSG) requires companies to establish comprehensive due diligence processes covering human rights violations and environmental harm across their value chains, from direct suppliers to indirect business relationships.
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The HREDD Performance in Germany benchmarking tool represents a comprehensive, systematic assessment of human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) practices and LkSG compliance among Germany's largest companies. This project analyzes HREDD maturity through a data-driven approach that examines 141 specific practices and 25 effectiveness metrics.
Devoir de Vigilance
(2020)
The French Devoir de Vigilance law requires subject companies to exercise supply chain due diligence with respect to people and the planet. This report assesses 134 companies, who identified as being subject to the law, against legal compliance, UNGP performance, and transparency. There is something for everyone in this study: For companies, how did you square off against the actual legal requirements and UNGPs? For civil society, what makes this law special, and how is it being implemented? For policy-makers, is the legislative intent being met? For lawyers, what is the legal theory with which one could defend or attack any given subject company?
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Here the report's webinar
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Here the scorecards evaluating corporate compliance with the law
EU NFRD summary measurement findings
(2019)
Gaping measurement discrepancies are found between companies in Germany, Sweden and Austria with regard to their accounting of greenhouse emissions, energy consumption, recycled input materials and work-related injuries. Download brief.
EU NFRD country case studies
(2019)
These 3 case studies on corporate non-financial reporting in Germany, Sweden and Austria represent baseline studies that systematically assess the degree of non-financial reporting under the EU Non Financial Reporting Directive. Each study features an evaluation framework premised on 60+ key performance indicators (KPIs) based on GRI, DNK, and UN Global Compact indicators on a range of environmental, social and governance matters.