Does High Quality Equal Compliance? The case of surgical goods made by children
Part 3 of the Webinar Series on Managing Risks in Supply Chains
Time & Location
18 Sept 2025, 13:30 – 15:00
Zoom
About the event
This is the third and last session of our three-part webinar series on 'Managing Risks in Supply Chains: A Series for Data-Driven Action'. We will explore how sourcing strategies can contribute to social and environmental risks across the value chain, while also addressing the extent to which companies are exposed to risks in their purchased goods and services.
Participants will learn innovative methods for assessing these risks and how to turn insights into collaborative, data-driven actions with measurable impact and receive practical examples. To learn more about the series visit this website.
This last session focuses on the case of surgical goods made by children. Are high-quality goods more likely to be produced in high-quality facilities? The value chain of surgical instruments proves otherwise. Children can be found grinding "Made in Germany" scalpels in informal sector workshops in Pakistan. Worse, this situation has been repeatedly exposed over three decades. What can companies learn from this case and how can public and private procurement and sourcing professionals avoid similar risks?
Target group
This webinar series is open to UNGC participants only. Representatives from the following functions will benefit most from the webinars: sourcing, procurement, strategy, sustainability, compliance, legal, human resources, human rights, children’s rights, reporting.
About the speaker
Auret van Heerden works with public and private sector clients in the apparel and footwear, tech, FMCG and food and agriculture sectors. Before that Auret was the President and CEO of the Fair Labor Association in Washington DC from 2001 to 2013. From 1996 to 2001 he was responsible for the Special Action Programme on Social and Labour Issues in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) at the International Labour Office (ILO) in Geneva. His 40 years of experience in value chains in different sectors and countries equips him to advise clients and engage with all stakeholders to build partnerships and resolve conflicts.