Consumer advocates call for progress in the supply chain law against exploitation, child labor and starvation wages for foreign suppliers. At Christmas, many people thought more than usual about how the gifts on the table would actually be produced, said the head of the Federal Consumer Association, Klaus Müller, of the German Press Agency.

Consumer wants to be able to buy responsibly “I don’t know any consumer who would say: Yes, I would like to buy products in which there are child labor, exploitation and environmental degradation. ” As a rule, however, the manufacturing conditions of the products cannot be seen.

Several federal ministers had therefore proposed a new law. It is intended to oblige German companies to guarantee compliance with minimum social and ecological standards for foreign suppliers. However, the project has been on hold for months because business associations and parts of the Union parties fear a competitive disadvantage for German companies. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) had also warned in the Bundestag against burdens for companies. The question is whether and to what extent a small medium-sized company can be held liable for things that were going on somewhere in the world.

“There is never a good time” Germany is not a pioneer, but rather a bottom light, emphasized Müller. The business associations also said they did not want any exploitative or environmentally destructive production conditions. “But you don’t want to be liable for it,” he criticized.

The argument that companies shouldn’t be burdened additionally during the Corona crisis cannot apply in the opinion of the consumer advocate. “There’s never a good time,” he said. When the economy improves again, it is argued that the upswing should not be slowed down. “If you go after that, it will never be regulated,” said Müller. “Then today we would still have child labor and, in the worst case, even slavery, to a point.”

Security of supply and stability Müller also spoke out in favor of producing more important products in Europe. The extremely high international division of labor saves costs, but also increases uncertainty. That was discovered in the spring when buying mouth and nose covers, which were mainly produced in Asia. “In a domestic market you are wise to be able to actually produce certain things yourself in order to influence quality and price,” said Müller. “A continent like Europe should be able to provide critical infrastructure at least in relevant parts.”

(kbe)