UK Proposes Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence with Criminal Director Liability
A UK House of Lords Private Members' Bill introduced June 17, 2026 would impose mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence on commercial organisations with annual turnover of £36 million or more. Modelled on the Bribery Act 2010's "failure to prevent" structure and broadly mirroring the EU CSDDD, the bill includes civil liability for value-chain harms, financial penalties of up to 10%
BY FRONTIER DESK · JULY 24, 2026 · 1 MIN READ
A UK House of Lords Private Members' Bill introduced June 17, 2026 would impose mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence on commercial organisations with annual turnover of £36 million or more. Modelled on the Bribery Act 2010's "failure to prevent" structure and broadly mirroring the EU CSDDD, the bill includes civil liability for value-chain harms, financial penalties of up to 10% of global turnover, exclusion from public procurement for up to five years, and — most significantly — criminal charges for directors of repeat offenders. The UK Government separately confirmed plans to introduce mandatory deforestation due diligence for Great Britain supply chains, targeting cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, and wood, with a consultation anticipated in late 2026. The UK Modern Slavery Act is also under reform, with mandatory prescribed content and financial penalties of up to 1% of turnover for non-compliance.