The concept of “(supply-chain) due diligence” was first introduced in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” (UNGP), a non-binding international instrument endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011

Corresponding to the concept of “supply chain due diligence”, regulations on supply chain due diligence can be understood as a set of principles and specific rules regarding corporate responsibilities to conduct due diligence in their supply chains.

Each system of supply chain due diligence regulations contains its own specific content. However, from a technical perspective, supply chain due diligence regulations across countries, regions, and organizations worldwide share some common features

In practice, supply chain due diligence regulations first appeared in documents of international organizations (mostly intergovernmental).

The European Union (EU) was one of the earliest adopters of the UNGP (as early as 2011) and has subsequently codified these due diligence responsibilities in multiple regional legal documents.

Supply chain due diligence has emerged as a new legal framework in several countries, particularly in developed nations with high concern for environmental and human rights issues.

Supply chain due diligence has emerged as a new legal framework in several countries, particularly in developed nations with high concern for environmental and human rights issues.

Supply chain due diligence has emerged as a new legal framework in several countries, particularly in developed nations with high concern for environmental and human rights issues.

As of 2025, Germany is the latest country in Europe to adopt a standalone law on corporate supply chain due diligence.