Digital Seminar: How can we prevent a race to the bottom in global supply chains?
2025-11-07
On 7 November 2025, we hosted a digital seminar with the GoChains research group (link) and the Heinrich Böll Foundation (link), exploring the question
‘How can we prevent a race to the bottom in global supply chains?’
The event provided a platform for contributions addressing the current situation with regard to the protection of human rights and environmental standards (at various legal levels) along global value chains. Contributions also addressed the reasons why and how successes already achieved in securing these standards are under pressure and potential future developments.
Measures to weaken already adopted regulations are often justified on the grounds of efficiency, economic necessity and reducing bureaucracy. However, constant political battles over this issue and the amendment of the relevant regulations create a state of ongoing legal uncertainty, resulting in a lack of economic predictability. Furthermore, there is a risk that this process will result in legal regulations that no longer meet the needs of those affected or the environment.
Contributors to the event included Prof. Dr. Jelena Bäumler (Leuphana University Lüneburg), Julie Ruaud (assistant to Majdouline Sbaï, MEP), and Craig Bradshaw (Inclusive Development International). The event was moderated by Johanna Sydow (Heinrich Böll Foundation).