400 companies to share supply chain data
Press release provided by Open Supply Hub
New York, US – 18 November, 2024– More than 400 companies will share their supply chain data with Open Supply Hub (OS Hub), thanks to a series of partnerships with multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs).
The collaborations with these four MSIs - Cascale, Ethical Trading Initiative, Ethical Supply Chain Program, and Ethical Tea Partnership - will result in tens of thousands of suppliers across various sectors being shared on OS Hub's open data platform, which maps supply chain production locations globally. Furthermore, the MSIs, which bring corporate members together, will deliver shared value from supply chain transparency by enabling companies to drive social and environmental progress collectively.
Open Supply Hub is increasingly seeing companies use their platform to get a complete picture of their supply chain, plug data gaps and identify opportunities for collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Historically, companies have been skeptical of sharing their supply chain data publicly for various reasons, such as fear of backlash or losing their competitive advantage, for example. However, as companies navigate growing calls for transparency and stakeholder engagement, particularly in light of Due Diligence legislation, more are adopting supply chain transparency and understanding its benefits.
Natalie Grillon, CEO and Executive Director of Open Supply Hub commented:
“Transparency efforts are significantly more impactful when they are harmonized. If we can all go to one resource to know where the world’s production locations are and who is connected to them, then so much opportunity can be unlocked: from reporting and business efficiencies to more impactful programmatic work, collaboration, remediation and investment.
“More and more, companies are understanding that transparency is a benefit, not a burden. By having total visibility of their supply chain, companies can effectively implement Due Diligence, enhance interoperability and conduct risk assessments, for example. And by giving all these initiatives a shared and open tool, we are enabling members to work together and collaborate on Due Diligence efforts, which ultimately leads to safer and more sustainable supply chains.”
OS Hub is rapidly expanding its work with MSIs, which are voluntary partnerships between businesses, civil society and other organizations. While MSIs work to facilitate collaboration between members, they also offer a unique way for companies to test supply chain transparency with peers in a lower-risk environment. Specifically, OS Hub notes that MSIs increasingly want a complete picture of production locations that reach their members to understand overlap and inform pilots and programs.
By joining MSIs, member companies often must commit to baseline standards, in return for guidance, tools and frameworks to help them address specific issues. By ensuring companies are taking steps towards supply chain transparency alongside their peers, MSIs can set baseline standards and a level playing field for members, reducing the perceived risks associated with supply chain transparency.
The four MSIs join over a dozen that are already working with Open Supply Hub, including Fair Wear Foundation, RISE (Reimagining Industry to Support Equality), Apparel Impact Institute and the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles.
To date, Open Supply Hub has 1,400 contributors mapping nearly 1 million production locations on its platform, which is available to explore here. The organization will also host a free webinar on November 21 about how open data can be used for effective stakeholder engagement and supply chain due diligence.
