TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) The Taiwan Bicycle Association announced an initiative to have industry suppliers observe human rights following the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol announcing it is detaining future Giant Group shipments to the U.S. because of alleged forced labor.

"To meet growing global expectations for Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) and sustainable supply chain governance, the Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA) has announced an industry initiative encouraging suppliers across the value chain to undertake supply chain due diligence, with a particular focus on human rights and forced labor," the TBA wrote in a news release Wednesday, noting Giant Manufacturing Co. and Merida Industry Co. have initiated their due diligence programs and planned to release progress updates.

According to the release, to help implement and support suppliers in the European and U.S. markets, the TBA will work with international third-party auditing organizations to conduct professional audits for a "first cohort of volunteer suppliers spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream companies." The TBA also will provide a self-assessment checklist to help suppliers conduct internal reviews that will ensure compliance with Taiwan's laws, eliminate baseline non-compliance risks such as forced labor, and align with international standards.

Third-party auditors will apply globally recognized social-responsibility standards as a core criteria, including Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production and Social Accountability 8000, while also referencing guidance from the International Labour Organization and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the TBA said.

Upon completion, participating suppliers will receive verification and supporting documentation.