The role of commodity traders in supply chain due diligence
At this year's OECD's annual forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, in Paris 5-7 May 2025, IHRB's Senior Advisor Vicky Bowman will speak on 'The role of commodity traders in supply chain due diligence'.
The plenary session will discussion the role that international commodity traders play in mineral supply chains. As intermediaries, traders connect multiple actors across geographically dispersed parts of the chain, blending and handling minerals from diverse origins to meet client requirements for location, mineral grade, and timing. This can lead to due diligence challenges related to spot market purchases, reliance on short-term contracts, and the need to manage commercially sensitive information.
The session will explore practical examples of these due diligence challenges and explore emerging and prospective solutions for responsible sourcing and enhanced transparency. It will be livestreamed with sessions available in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.
Speakers include:
- Anna Krutikov, Head of Sustainable Development, Glencore International AG
- James Nicholson, Head of Social Responsibility, Trafigura
- Mark Robinson, Executive Director, EITI
IHRB together with the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) have developed online guidance (first published in 2018) for commodity trading companies - and other stakeholders - on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) into their systems and company cultures.
