In September 2022, businesses including the John Lewis Partnership, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Twinings, Aviva, Asos, Primark and the British Retail Consortium called on the Government to “urgently bring forward” a new law mandating human rights and environmental due diligence. It should include “clear accountability” and “provide access to remedy for victims”. This was mirrored by investors representing over £4.5 trillion in assets under management calling for a new UK law. 

In April 2024, 167 businesses and investors released a new statement calling for an ambitious new law outlining key elements for international alignment, remedy and accountability, and governance.

In September 2025, the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) - representing companies with a combined turnover of £166 billion, trade union members representing nearly 160 million workers and a wide range of NGOs - published its consulted position on the elements needed for effective Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence legislation in the UK. With strong support for a mandatory approach, ETI calls for all sectors, including services and the public sector, to be covered for their entire value chain with regulatory enforcement, civil liability and criminal penalties