Forced Labour Evidence: Vietnam-Germany
For a Germany-Vietnam transaction, the practical starting point is a shared product map and a safe escalation path. The German buyer should define the product and evidence it may need to produce if authorities ask questions. The Vietnamese supplier should identify which facilities, subcontractors, inputs and records support that product version and who can correct an error. Neither side should imply that Vietnam, a sector or a supplier is high risk without reliable evidence. A social-audit certificate can be one input, but it cannot by itself prove that every component and upstream stage is free from forced labour. Where a credible concern appears, use proportionate, qualified and worker-safe methods; do not conduct improvised interviews or expose complainants. The Commission's due-diligence guidance is non-binding under this Regulation, although other laws may create separate obligations for particular companies or products.