As with all of the episodes within the CKI podcasts, which I highly recommend everyone listens to, Tony talks to two superbly qualified guests around the broad subject matter of ‘deep’ origin of goods.

While listening, a couple of particular thoughts crossed my mind that might just be thought provoking for others:

1. Where there is an attempt at control, the greater the cost of meeting that control process, or the realisation of those who can meet the control process, namely big business, that they can add a premium price tag to their products for doing so. This creates a wonderful opportunity gap and added incentive for fraudsters. I guess the question for the statisticians is; what is the balance between the increased benefit the controls will bring verses the increased problems the controls will inevitably create?
2. While this idea may be more viable for big business than small business, is there an opportunity for an ALMO? No not an ‘Arms Length Management Company’, but quite the opposite, an ‘Association of Labour & Materials Origin’. The thought being that this global ‘not for profit’ would provide member businesses with the ability to provide their customers with reassurance that their products are fully compliant with all current and forthcoming environmental and labour regulation. Members provide the Association with a membership fee based upon turnover, which is used to carry out both primary and secondary audits at any stage of the supply-chain without notice. The Association’s employees would all operate under NDAs, with strict data control so that only they understand all elements of a member’s supply-chains.  Members employees would also have direct access with ALMO, should they wish to report any concern they have about their employers activity under strict confidentiality. Members can withdraw from membership at the end of a term without public notification, so they are not locked in. However, if they are found to be actively contravening compliance standards, or under investigation by ALMO when they decided to withdraw from membership, this information would be added to the public register, showing what was identified, and what action was taken by the member.