Skip to content
logo
  • The Benchmarks
    • 2022 Benchmark
    • Key Findings
    • Benchmark Methodology
    • Information for Companies
  • Resources
    • For Companies
    • For Investors
  • About Us
  • The Issue
  • Views
Company Search
SIGN UP    
SIGN UP    

See Our Full Company List

Benchmark Methodology

The KnowTheChain benchmarks evaluate corporate efforts to assess forced labour risks in their supply chains and publishes sector-specific benchmarks every two years. Companies are assessed using a methodology which is based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and which covers themes such as recruitment and worker voice. In 2022/2023, our benchmarks will cover over 180 companies. This expanded list of companies will be benchmarked using an updated methodology for each sector.

SEE COMPANY LIST

Why Benchmarking?

KnowTheChain believes that benchmarks can play a powerful role in encouraging companies to uphold labour standards and protect workers’ rights, harnessing the competitive nature of markets to drive a “race to the top” by creating brand reward for leaders and brand risk for laggards. More importantly, they give companies and investors examples of good practices, the information necessary to understand performance, and a path forward.

2020/2021 Methodology          2018 Methodology             2016 Methodology  
X

2020/2021 Methodology          2018 Methodology             2016 Methodology  

2022/2023 Methodology

KnowTheChain focuses on assessing the largest companies (based on market capitalisation) in high-risk sectors. In 2022/23, assessments will focus on a core set of key themes which are articulated in a smaller subset of KnowTheChain’s existing methodology. This step supports KnowTheChain’s goal of assessing the steps companies are taking, beyond policies, and enhancing our focus on the implementation and outcomes of companies’ processes for addressing forced labour risks.

KnowTheChain’s subset of indicators, developed in 2019 and used alongside the full benchmark methodology in the 2020-21 benchmarks, have been adopted as the new methodology for the 2022 benchmarks. As such, KnowTheChain will now use a smaller and more focused set of indicators to assess companies than it has in the past. Read more about our methodology revisions here.

2022/2023 Methodology

English (PDF)

2020/2021 Methodology

Information and Communication Technology

English (PDF)

Simplified Chinese / 简体中文

Traditional Chinese / 繁體中文

Japanese / 日本語

Food and Beverage

English (PDF)

Simplified Chinese / 简体中文

Traditional Chinese / 繁體中文

Japanese / 日本語

Apparel and Footwear

English (PDF)

Simplified Chinese / 简体中文

Traditional Chinese / 繁體中文

Japanese / 日本語

Subset of Indicators

English (PDF)

Simplified Chinese / 简体中文

Traditional Chinese / 繁體中文

Japanese / 日本語

French / Française

Spanish / Española

Arabic / عربى

2018 Methodology

Information and Communication Technology

English (PDF)

Simplified Chinese / 简体中文

Traditional Chinese / 繁體中文

Japanese / 日本語

Food and Beverage

English (PDF)

Simplified Chinese / 简体中文

Traditional Chinese / 繁體中文

Japanese / 日本語

Apparel and Footwear

English (PDF)

Simplified Chinese / 简体中文

Traditional Chinese / 繁體中文

Japanese / 日本語

2016 Methodology

Information and Communication Technology

English (PDF)

Food and Beverage

English (PDF)

Apparel and Footwear

English (PDF)

Changes to Methodology

Why does the methodology change?

The methodology is reviewed before every benchmark publication to align with evolving third-party benchmarks and standards and to include learnings from the previous benchmarks and feedback from other stakeholders. The methodology revision process includes sector-specific consultations with stakeholders from civil society, investors, and business.

What changed?

In addition to indicator-specific changes based on emerging good practices and stakeholder feedback, KnowTheChain has strengthened its methodology in the following areas, which will continue to be a focus for improvement going forward:

  • Focusing more strongly on corporate action below the first tier, as worker abuse occurs at all tiers and workers may be more vulnerable deeper down supply chains where companies tend to have less visibility
  • Moving the emphasis beyond policies towards processes and practices, with a particular focus on better measuring corporate performance
  • Incorporating third-party data, such as allegations from reputable news agencies and participation in relevant industry and multi-stakeholder initiatives, in addition to corporate disclosure.


COMPANY
  • About Us
  • The Issue
  • Views
  • Press
  • Using Our Data
  • Translations
BENCHMARK
  • 2022 Benchmark
  • Methodology
  • Company Engagement
  • Benchmark Reports
RESOURCES
  • For Companies
  • For Investors

Keep Updated. Get the latest on our newsletters. SIGN UP

Newsletter Archive

info@knowthechain.org

   


©2022 KnowTheChain

  • FAQS
  • Privacy, Legal and Other Policies
  • FAQS
  • Privacy, Legal and Other Policies

©2022 KnowTheChain