Over 400 Companies to Share Supply Chain Data Soon on Open Supply Hub

Open Supply Hub, a non-profit platform with the world’s most complete, open and accessible global supply chain map, will see more than 400 companies share their supply chain data following a series of partnerships with multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs).

• The collaboration with 4 MSIs—Cascale, Ethical Trading Initiative, Ethical Supply Chain Program, and Ethical Tea Partnership—will result in tens of thousands of suppliers across various sectors being shared on OS Hub's open data platform, which maps supply chain production locations globally.
• The four MSIs join over a dozen that are already working with Open Supply Hub, including Fair Wear Foundation, RISE (Reimagining Industry to Support Equality), Apparel Impact Institute and the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles.

HUB EXPANSION: OS Hub is rapidly expanding its work with MSIs, which are voluntary partnerships between businesses, civil society and other organisations.

• While MSIs work to facilitate collaboration between members, they also offer a unique way for companies to test supply chain transparency with peers in a lower-risk environment. Specifically, MSIs increasingly want a complete picture of production locations that reach their members to understand overlap and inform pilots and programmes.
• By joining MSIs, member companies often must commit to baseline standards, in return for guidance, tools and frameworks to help them address specific issues.
• By ensuring companies are taking steps towards supply chain transparency alongside their peers, MSIs can set baseline standards and a level playing field for members, reducing the perceived risks associated with supply chain transparency.
• To date, Open Supply Hub has 1,400 contributors mapping nearly 1 million production locations on its platform.
• Furthermore, the MSIs, which bring corporate members together, will deliver shared value from supply chain transparency by enabling companies to drive social and environmental progress collectively.
• Open Supply Hub is increasingly seeing companies use their platform to get a complete picture of their supply chain, plug data gaps and identify opportunities for collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• The non-profit has seen significant growth following its expansion beyond apparel and has now mapped nearly 1 million production locations, spanning automotive, electronics, consumer goods, beauty, food and beverage supply chains, amongst others.

THE CONTEXT: Historically, companies have been sceptical of sharing their supply chain data publicly for various reasons, such as fear of backlash or losing their competitive advantage, for example. However, as companies navigate growing calls for transparency and stakeholder engagement, particularly in light of Due Diligence legislation, more are adopting supply chain transparency and understanding its benefits.

WHAT THEY SAID

 Transparency efforts are significantly more impactful when they are harmonized. If we can all go to one resource to know where the world’s production locations are and who is connected to them, then so much opportunity can be unlocked: from reporting and business efficiencies to more impactful programmatic work, collaboration, remediation and investment.

— Natalie Grillon
CEO and Executive Director
Open Supply Hub

Cascale is excited to work closely with Open Supply Hub to deliver meaningful progress towards a more transparent and sustainable supply chain. Our members are hungry for change, and this comes with amplifying the existing tools, best practices, and resources that allow them to collaborate effectively and, ultimately, lead to greater improvements for the industry. This data-driven initiative is a significant step forward in meeting the growing expectations for transparency and responsible business practices.

— Colin Browne
Chief Executive Officer
Cascale

We launched the ETI Corporate Transparency Framework in 2021 and are excited to partner with OS Hub to work together to continue to improve transparency and drive progress on human rights in global supply chains.

— Amelia Cherry
Senior Progression Advisor for Human Rights 
Ethical Trading Initiative

ESCP has always been committed to transparency. Transparency and collaboration are at the core of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives and mechanisms like Open Supply Hub enable buyers to find new, responsible suppliers quickly. We can also identify opportunities for collaboration amongst shared suppliers which helps improve labor standards cost-effectively and efficiently.

— Carmel Giblin
Chief Executive Officer 
Ethical Supply Chain Program

Details about the MSI partnerships and disclosure requirements are as follows