Sourcemap CEO Testifies on New Technology to Fight Forced Labor before US Senate Finance Committee

“With the will to enforce, there needs to a commensurate collection, analysis and verification of data to definitively prove that a supply chain is up to par, but also to definitively exclude supply chains in which there is not sufficient transparency to have the confidence that there is not forced labor.”

- Dr. Leonardo Bonanni

On Thursday, March 18th, Sourcemap Founder and CEO Leonardo Bonanni delivered testimony at the Senate Committee on Finance hearing about closing loopholes and improving customs enforcement to mandate clean supply chains and protect workers.

In his testimony, Dr. Bonanni detailed new technology that major U.S. companies are already using to monitor their global supply chains for forced labor and to make data-driven decisions about where to source. The key to enforcing human rights in supply chains is transparency: companies must require their suppliers to disclose key information on where they source, and what practices they follow, in a structured, verifiable way.

“Supply chain transparency needs to become the norm. At a minimum, companies should disclose the names and the addresses of their direct and indirect suppliers,” said Dr. Bonanni. “This evidentiary standard will establish the US as the leader in combating forced labor in supply chains, while saving companies and CBP millions of dollars. Setting a simple standard for supply chain transparency will help create a level playing field for all companies importing goods into the US. I look forward to working with Members of the Senate Finance Committee as they continue to explore these issues and develop a set of regulations that meets this moment in time.”

Supply chain transparency represents a step change in ensuring supply chains are free of forced labor, and it should become the norm.

Read Dr. Bonanni’s full written testimony here. Watch a full recording of the hearing below: