The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is to identify ways for UK retailers to eradicate human rights abuses in their supply chains after a request from government.
The BRC says it will work with its members and produce a document to highlight good practice and explain how to address issues, such as forced labour and dangerous working conditions, in their overseas suppliers.
The document, due to be published later this year, will also include a framework of human rights reporting requirements, information on ethical auditing and the various accreditation schemes that are available.
UK companies listed on the stock market are already required to report on material human rights issues in their annual report and
accounts ending after 30 September 2013. The government says it expects reporting of human rights to be further strengthened by new reporting rules