Empowering Education For All

At RBGLP, we believe that education is the cornerstone of progress. By partnering with us, clients can navigate the complexities of the education sector, achieve compliance, and drive innovation to transform lives and communities.

Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future through education.

Fair Trade and Fair Supply Chains at Reagan Blankfein Gates Legal Practitioners (RBGLP)

At RBGLP, we are committed to supporting our clients in recognising and upholding their business responsibility to build, maintain, and monitor fair trade practices within their supply chains. We empower organisations to implement robust systems for supply chain due diligence, ensuring compliance with international frameworks and emerging legal obligations.

The Issue

For decades, businesses have voluntarily adopted fair-trade standards, human rights due diligence, and environmental protection principles in their supply chains. These efforts have been guided by globally recognised frameworks such as the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

However, recent years have seen a marked shift toward mandatory due diligence legislation across various sectors. Examples include:

• Timber Industry: The EU Timber Regulation.
• Extractive Industry: The US Dodd-Frank Act and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation.
• Agriculture and Food Industry: The EU Unfair Trade Practices Directive.

This trend toward cross-sectoral regulation is expected to intensify, with frameworks such as:

• The UK Modern Slavery Act.
• The French Duty of Vigilance Law.
• The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act.
• Proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence initiatives.

As these regulations evolve, businesses must ensure their supply chains are compliant, transparent, and equitable.

What We Do

RBGLP provides leading legal and strategic advisory services to help clients align their supply chain practices with fair trade principles, human rights obligations, and environmental protection standards.

Key Services

1. Supply Chain Transparency
   • Developing strategies to ensure supplier transparency and collaboration.
   • Assisting clients in working with suppliers to uphold fair trade practices, human and labour rights, and environmental standards.
2. Regulatory Compliance
   • Advising on compliance with applicable and emerging regulations.
   • Helping clients meet reporting and documentation requirements for supply chain due diligence.
3. Stakeholder Communication
   • Supporting effective communication with regulators, consumer protection organisations, and industry associations.
   • Demonstrating compliance with fair trade practices and sustainability commitments.
4. Due Diligence Systems
   • Implementing systems for increased transparency, disclosure, and accountability in supply chain management.
5. Sustainability and Social Impact
   • Embedding sustainability and social impact principles into operational and supply chain practices.
   • Advising on best practices to ensure alignment with the UN SDGs.

Our Impact

RBGLP partners with clients to ensure fairness and compliance throughout their supply chains, helping them achieve their goals while fostering ethical and sustainable practices.

Representative Achievements

• Strategic Development: Advising multinational companies on strategies to comply with existing and forthcoming supply chain due diligence regulations.
• Transparency Initiatives: Supporting clients in enhancing supply chain transparency and collaboration with global and local suppliers.
• Legal Leadership: Navigating complex regulatory landscapes to help clients demonstrate compliance and avoid legal or reputational risks.

Why Choose RBGLP?

RBGLP is uniquely positioned to guide businesses operating within Zambia, across Africa, and globally through the complexities of fair trade and supply chain regulations.

Our Value Proposition

• Deep Expertise: A proven track record of advising clients on human rights and environmental standards in supply chains.
• Holistic Approach: Integrating legal, social, and business perspectives to deliver comprehensive solutions.
• Commitment to Sustainability: Supporting clients in aligning their practices with global sustainability goals while addressing local challenges.