Missing content
In some cases, relevant sustainability-related content may be missing from the contract stack altogether – not because it was consciously left out, but because it was never explicitly considered. Topics may also be addressed outside the contract stack or through other instruments. As a result, contracts may remain silent on important issues.
Where sustainability is not addressed, requirements and commitments remain implicit. They may be omitted, handled informally, or assumed to be self-evident, yet interpreted differently by different actors. Where contracts remain silent, sustainability risks are often managed informally – or not at all.
Making these gaps visible means identifying what is missing, including requirements that may be expected by regulation, customers, or other stakeholders. Mapping and scanning the contract stack can help reveal where sustainability topics are absent or handled outside the contract.
Quick scan: Identify what is missing
Sustainability topics may not always appear in contracts. They may be addressed elsewhere – or not articulated at all. Building on the mapping of your contract stack, this quick scan helps you identify what is missing.
1. Pick one topic
Choose one sustainability area and topic:
- a human rights-related topic
- an environmental impact-related topic
- a Traceability / reporting-related topic
2. Find it
Scan your contract stack:
- Can you find it clearly stated?
- Is it only implied or unclear?
- Can’t find it at all?
Also consider: Is this something required by regulation or expected by your company, customers, or other stakeholders?
3. Check where it would need to support and guide action
Where would this topic need to support and guide action – and is it present there?
- Product and specification context (design, materials, technical requirements)
- Operational context (processes, workflows, day-to-day practices)
- Supply chain context (requirements for suppliers, including cascading)
What is not there cannot support and guide action. What is not placed where it works cannot do this either.