Background Overview: Background Sustainability and CSR International frameworks: guides for global business Benefits for companies CSR national Overview: CSR national National CSR Forum CSR Policies in Germany CSR international Overview: CSR international The EU's CSR policy CSR: the global dimension
NAP Overview: NAP About the NAP Overview: About the NAP Objectives Development of the Action Plan Four action areas of the NAP Original version of the NAP Monitoring UN Guiding Principles NAP International Commitment of the Federal Government Overview: Commitment of the Federal Government The state's duty to protect Activities of the Federal Government Cooperation with stakeholders Corporate due diligence Overview: Corporate due diligence Federal Government expectations Five core elements of due diligence Access to remedy and remediation Supply Chain Act Overview: Supply Chain Act Background and development Implementation by enterprises FAQ Europe Overview: Europe EU supply chain law initiative EU regulation on conflict minerals EU Timber Regulation G7-Presidency 2022 Implementation support Overview: Implementation support Sector dialogues Overview: Sector dialogues Automotive Industry Energy Sector Dialogue About the dialogues Setting up the dialogues The role of the Federal Government Information, advice, training and networks Overview: Information, advice, training and networks Information and advice Networks and training Guidance documents Overview: Guidance documents General guidance documents Sector-specific guidance documents
CSR Background CSR national CSR international Business & Human Rights NAP About the NAP Commitment of the Federal Government Corporate due diligence Supply Chain Act Europe Implementation support Sector dialogues Information, advice, training and networks Guidance documents

Cross-Company Grievance Mechanisms: How to Make Complaint Channels More Effective

On February 25 2025, the Sector Dialogues of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) conducted the online seminar “Collaboration on grievance mechanisms – how to make complaint channels more effective”.

This seminar discussed how companies can effectively address and mitigate human rights risks within their global supply and value chains through collaborative grievance mechanisms.

Grievance mechanisms are essential tools for companies to address concerns raised by workers, communities, and other stakeholders. Their effectiveness is crucial in ensuring access to remedy for those whose rights are infringed. By collaborating across companies, businesses can pool resources and strengthen these mechanisms, making them more accessible and impactful for rightsholders.

During the seminar, experts highlighted the potential of collective grievance mechanisms for companies and rightsholders. Insights from the cross-company grievance mechanisms “Mecanismo de Reclamación de Derechos Humanos (MRDH)” in Mexico, which was developed by the Sector Dialogue of the Automotive Industry, were shared. Moreover, the German Coffee Association presented Ear4U, a cross-company grievance mechanism in the coffee industry. The Fair Wear Foundation concluded the seminar with insights into the foundation’s own grievance mechanism, highlighting how companies in the garment sector can collaborate to resolve issues effectively while improving working conditions in global supply chains.