Strengthening human rights and sustainability oversight in fragrance supply chains 

Strengthening human rights and sustainability oversight in fragrance supply chains 

Human Rights & Modern Slavery | read time: 3 min

Managing human rights and sustainability risks is a key consideration for organisations operating in the luxury fragrance sector. Raw materials are often sourced through complex agricultural value chains involving farming, harvesting, processing and transportation activities across multiple geographies, making consistent oversight and assessment a priority. 

In this context, a leading luxury fragrance manufacturer worked with GoodCorporation to review and update the internal framework used to guide audits across upstream supply chains. Following this review, GoodCorporation was also engaged to support the client in testing the redeveloped audit grid during an on‑site human rights assessment in an agricultural supply chain in Eastern Europe. 

Our approach  

Our brief was to support the redevelopment of the client’s audit grid, building on their responsible sourcing commitments and experience using the tool across multiple supply chains over the years. Drawing on GoodCorporation’s significant expertise in the agricultural, perfume and human rights sectors, we applied international human rights best practice to refine the grid’s diagnostic criteria and key indicators. 

A key objective was to improve the audit grid’s usability across different audiences. The tool was therefore redesigned for a range of user groups, including internal stakeholders and third-party partners conducting audits. Its structure and formatting were updated to support the end-to-end audit process, from documenting observations during on-site assessments to reporting of assessment findings, communicating recommended actions against each criterion and formulating feedback to suppliers. 

Following the redevelopment of the audit grid, GoodCorporation supported the client in testing the tool during an on-site human rights assessment in an agricultural supply chain in Eastern Europe. 

Scope of work  

Phase one focused on reviewing and updating the client’s audit grid, which comprised over 150 criteria. This included interviews with internal user groups and stakeholders, a review of the tool’s structure and formatting, and benchmarking against best practice. A workshop was then delivered with the client team to introduce the revised grid. 

Phase two involved testing the audit grid within an agricultural supply chain, which consisted of desktop research, reviewing and finalising the scope and focus areas of the field assessment and planning the logistics of the on-site assessment. GoodCorporation engaged with local suppliers, farmers, workers, intermediaries and external stakeholders during the on-site assessment, using the audit grid as a framework on which to base stakeholder engagement and the collection of findings. Findings were gathered and recorded in the evaluation section of the audit grid, covering observations, and a qualitative and quantitative grade for each diagnostic criterion. Observations were then consolidated in the evaluation section of the audit grid, alongside mitigating actions and recommendations for suppliers. Findings and resulting action plans were reported to the client and its suppliers following the field assessment. 

Phase three consisted of reflecting on the practical application of the audit grid in order to refine its design and comprehensiveness. This included assessing the relevance of its criteria and ensuring the tool is practical, scalable and readily replicable across different agricultural value chains and stakeholder groups. 

Why it mattered 

Audit tools play an important role in supporting a structured and consistent approach to assessing human rights and sustainability considerations within agricultural supply chains. Where sourcing involves multiple stages of production, including farming and harvesting activities, clear assessment criteria help create a shared understanding of expectations across upstream suppliers, helping to drive consistent application of human rights commitments and supporting suppliers to understand and address gaps identified. 

Testing audit tools through on-site application is a vital step in understanding how they operate in practice. Applying the audit grid during a field-based assessment supported a critical review of its design, scope and criteria, helping to ensure that it functions as a practical and meaningful assessment tool rather than merely a tick-box exercise. 

The new audit tool was designed to better support consistent documentation of observations and findings and helped ensure that information could be recorded, reviewed and reported on clearly across suppliers. This in turn helped the client to compare supplier performance and consolidate results of the site observation against other supply chains within its portfolio.  

How GoodCorporation can help 

GoodCorporation works with organisations to develop and apply practical tools that support effective management of human rights and responsible sourcing across global supply chains. We help ensure that frameworks and tools are aligned with best practice and can be used effectively in practice. To learn more about our work on human rights due diligence and responsible sourcing, visit our human rights webpage or contact a member of the GoodCorporation team. 

work with us