"Modern Slavery Act: vital insights from soft law", 21 June 2016

Analysis of the early slavery and human trafficking statements [related to the UK Modern Slavery Act (MSA)] produced has so far …suggested that most companies are falling below expectations…the majority of lawyers are interpreting this provision as they would any other piece of legislation [but] this law is different. The transparency in supply chains provision is one of the most recent and striking examples of hard law heavily inspired by soft law…Companies should focus on areas where the harm to people can be most severe and where impacts are most likely to occur…[and] should use the Guiding Principles…as a touchstone to know what policies and processes to describe…Rather than a compliance burden, the MSA should be viewed as impetus to help the company address the greatest risks to people associated with its business, which sooner or later will become risks to the company.