Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2022 was released a couple of weeks ago and provides interesting insights when compared to the latest ISO Survey of Certifications, released in late 2022.

How do suppliers and buyers of those products and services, balance the need to win business against less ethical competitors, make a profit, and maintain high moral and ethical standards that are increasingly demanded by investors and consumers alike?  Here we discuss the tensions and solutions.

Consumers want to make confident choices that extend beyond the physical boundaries of the product and safe in the knowledge they are protecting the rights of those who produce goods or provide services wherever in the world they are.
The Global standard for Ethical Trade & Responsible Sourcing by BRCGS aims to help brands and their suppliers make sure that the goods they sell are produced ethically, from materials that have been sourced responsibly.

The rise of social consciousness by the consumer in western markets, matched with the increasing instant accountability through social media – anywhere in the world, is creating a seismic change in reputational appetite amongst multi-national companies and the investment community.  
But what does that mean for you?

The increasingly complex network of suppliers and outsourced activities brings with it a range of uncertainties that can cause challenges in the supply chain.  This results in a greater importance regarding supply chain risk management, and part of this is the treatment of it workers and giving them the protection they deserve.