AEM recently released a new Human Rights Assessment questionnaire template to support the non-road equipment industry’s ongoing efforts to operate responsibly—both economically and ethically.
The template, now available in the AEM Sustainability Toolkit, serves as a practical guide for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers. By promoting the use of standardized questions across the entire manufacturing supply chain, this resource helps streamline information sharing and reduce the reporting burden on suppliers who often face multiple, inconsistent requests from different customers.
“To those organizations and their leaders who choose to ask their vendors to complete a human rights assessment, AEM encourages you to use the questions featured in the template available in our Sustainability Toolkit,” said AEM Senior Director of Industry Sectors John Rozum. “And if you are a vendor being asked by your customers to complete an HRA, ask them if they’d be willing to use the AEM template questions instead. Ultimately, our goal is to make it easier for everyone – OEMs and suppliers alike – to avoid unnecessary complexity and create alignment across our industry.”
Why It Matters
Supply chains frequently extend into regions with weak labor protections, where human rights violations (such as forced labor, child labor, and unsafe working conditions) are prevalent. By using a human rights assessment, organizations are more able to effectively identify and monitor these risks, mitigating potential harm and strengthening compliance efforts within their own company, as well as their entire supply chain.
Beyond ethical considerations, these assessments help reduce legal and regulatory risk. Global regulations—including Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG), the UK Modern Slavery Act, California’s Transparency in Supply Chains Act, and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive—are placing significant obligations on manufacturers and suppliers. Non-compliance can result in fines, import bans, and reputational damage.
Building Resilient Supply Chains
Human rights awareness isn’t just about compliance—it’s about resilience. By proactively addressing risks, companies can avoid preventable disruptions such as supplier shutdowns, market loss, and high turnover costs. This approach fosters trust and stability across the supplier network, creating a stronger foundation for long-term success.
The Bottom Line
By embracing these ethical responsibilities, organizations can:
- Respect the rights of workers throughout their supply chain
- Support fair labor practices
- Avoid involvement in exploitation issues
- Strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce regulatory risk
Take Action Today
Access the Human Rights Assessment questionnaire template in the AEM Sustainability Toolkit, or contact AEM’s John Rozum at jrozum@aem.org to learn more.
