The discussion highlighted the importance of corporate due diligence and the opportunities it presents for SMEs to go beyond compliance.
After years of discussions and consultations with businesses, partner organisations, NGOs, and independent experts, a common theme emerged – the need for a practical and actionable support mechanism for SMEs to implement human rights due diligence proportionate to their size and context. In response, we are excited to have developed a guiding compass for companies embarking on the journey of supply chain due diligence.
On 7th May 2024, the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce proudly launched SCAN-R – the Supply Chain Risk Assessment Navigator in collaboration with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa (through its service entity AHK Services Eastern Africa Ltd.)
What is SCAN-R?
SCAN-R is a dedicated tool designed to support SMEs taking their first steps towards comprehensive supply chain due diligence. SCAN-R serves as a guiding compass, providing companies with a starting point to navigate risks within their supply chains, assess their readiness, and work towards improvement.
As large companies face increasing regulatory pressure to ensure policies and processes that uphold human rights and environmental protection in their supply chains, the demand for business partners that demonstrate responsible business practices is growing. In light of the heightened business requirements faced by SMEs globally, there is a need for support to navigate the complexities of supply chain due diligence and gain a competitive advantage.
SCAN-R addresses this need by simplifying the process and providing clear, actionable insights. By using SCAN-R, companies can enhance their sustainability efforts, mitigate risks, and demonstrate their commitment to responsible business practices.
Key Features of SCAN-R
- Context-Based Risk Analysis: SCAN-R utilises a robust risk database and pre-determined indicators to provide country-specific and sector-specific risks relevant to a company’s operations.
- Assessment of Policies: By analysing a company’s internal policies and processes, SCAN-R provides a readiness score, pinpointing areas for improvement.
- Practical Recommendations: The tool offers actionable advice to help companies mitigate identified risks and enhance their due diligence practices.
- User Anonymity and Privacy: SCAN-R ensures user privacy by anonymising data and using an algorithm to generate results without compromising sensitive information.
Launch Event Highlights
The virtual launch event for SCAN-R featured opening remarks from Ute Brockmann, Deputy Director General – Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, and Maren Diale-Schellschmidt, Delegate of German Industry – Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Kenya.
The session showcased insights from several experts, including Indras Ghosh, Head – IGCC SustainMarkets (Indo-German Chamber of Commerce), Isabel Britsch, Senior Consultant – IGCC SustainMarkets and Business Scout for Development, and Hanna Dittmeyer, Head of Competence Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Economy at the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce.
The discussion highlighted the importance of corporate due diligence and the opportunities it presents for SMEs to go beyond compliance. By embracing sustainable business practices, SMEs can demonstrate their commitment to ethical standards, strengthen existing business partnerships, and forge new ones.
How to Get Started
Companies can visit www.scan-r.info to get started with SCAN-R.
Users must provide an email address, enter their country and sector, and complete a self-assessment questionnaire in order to receive a detailed report with a first-step risk analysis, assessment results, and tailored recommendations for improvement. More information about SCAN-R and how it works can be found on the website.
Explore SCAN-R today and take the first step towards sustainable business growth!
SCAN-R is funded by the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (AHK India) in cooperation with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa (through its service entity AHK Services Eastern Africa Ltd.)
