Adapting global compliance standards to the unique challenges of the modern manufacturing sector

The extraordinary growth of global supply chains and burgeoning e-commerce industry has imposed immense complexities and risks on corporations over the last few decades, which in turn has triggered the rapid development of compliance frameworks and standards. An increased awareness of the impact of manufacturing on sustainable development can be highlighted in the promotion of international principles, recommendations, and codes of conduct and implementation guidelines for responsible business. However, criticisms have increasingly emerged that these international standards are often too vague, misaligned with priorities and challenges in the manufacturing sector, and unhelpful to small and medium-sized manufacturers. As a result, many in the manufacturing sector have not seen sufficient value to engage in and devote resources to implementing such global compliance standards both domestically and abroad.