Exercises > Diagnostic exercise: Do contract clauses support implementation and action

This exercise refers to the content of "Empty content"; please refer to that page for context and to learn more (part of Module III. Why contracts fail).

Diagnostic exercise: Do contract clauses support implementation and action

Below are some common examples of sustainability-related contract clauses intended to be binding on the Supplier. As you review them, consider whether you can find similar formulations in your own documents and whether they provide sufficient support and guidance for action. Many of these may look familiar.

Clause	Is it actionable?	What is missing? (what / who / how / evidence)
The Supplier shall comply with all applicable laws.	No	What laws? What actions are required? No process, no responsibility, no verification.
The Supplier shall respect human rights.	No	No definition of what this means. No risk assessment, no procedures, no monitoring.
The Supplier shall conduct due diligence.	Partly	No description of the due diligence process, scope, frequency, or documentation.
The Supplier shall take corrective actions where necessary.	Partly	No trigger, no timeline, no defined process, no follow-up or reporting.
The Supplier shall document identified risks, implement corrective actions within defined timelines, and report progress upon request.	Yes (mostly)	May still need clearer responsibility allocation, verification criteria, and defined documentation.

This highlights a recurring problem: sustainability-related content is often expressed in generic terms that do not provide sufficient support or guidance for action. As a result, it may remain empty in day-to-day work and decision making.