Responsible Contracting Project

The mission of the Responsible Contracting Project (RCP) is to drive better outcomes for people and the planet through better, more Responsible Contracts.

RCP promotes Responsible Contracts as a key tool for upholding human rights and environmental standards in global supply chains, translating the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) into contractual obligations. Responsible Contracts abide by four main principles: A shared commitment to human rights and the environment, responsible purchasing practices, remediation first, and responsible exit as a last resort.

RCP engages buyers (e.g., brands and retailers), suppliers (e.g., farms and factories), investors and investor associations, public policymakers, and private standard-setters.

RCP’s goals are achieved through its four main workstreams: Its free online toolkit, which includes model contract clauses, guidance, policy briefs, and a buyer code of conduct, as well as workshops, deep-dive training, and contract gap analyses. The organization, led by a group of business and human rights and legal experts, is housed within Rutgers Law School’s Center for Corporate Law and Governance.