How we work

Theory of Change

We use benchmarking as a tool to identify and share best practices, and as a way to harness the competitive nature of markets to create a “race to the top” that encourages companies to adopt standards and practices that protect workers’ well-being. KnowTheChain benchmarks current corporate practices, develops insights and provides practical resources that inform company and investor decisions and enables them to comply with growing legal obligations while operating more transparently and responsibly.

Activities and Outputs

In 2025/26 KnowTheChain will benchmark 145 companies from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Food and Beverage, and Apparel and Footwear sectors and publishes sector-specific benchmarks every two years.

Our benchmarks use a publicly available methodology, based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to evaluate how companies are addressing forced labour in their supply chains. The methodology is developed with input from a diverse set of stakeholders including company representatives, the investor community, and civil society organisations.

Companies are selected using a number of primary criteria. Companies must be publicly listed and are selected on the basis of their size (market capitalisation), and the percentage of revenues derived from own-branded products. In addition, company selection takes into account additional considerations to ensure regional or subindustry representation. More information on KnowTheChain's methodology here.

Benchmark development process

• Initial research: Over a four month period we will undertake initial research of the company website.
• Additional disclosure period: We will share the initial findings which you will have time to review over a two-month window. Each company will have the opportunity to have a one-hour call to discuss any questions you may have regarding the research.
• Incorporating additional disclosure: Over a three-month period, we will incorporate additional disclosure from companies and conduct final data analysis and scoring.
• Benchmark publication: Benchmark ranking is published alongside our suite of resources; findings report, investor briefing & Japan briefing.