Supply Chain Due Diligence Compliance (LkSG)

Unlock your career potential with our Supply Chain Due Diligence Compliance (LkSG) course! This comprehensive program offers essential insights into the legal and operational frameworks surrounding LkSG compliance, covering everything from risk management to corporate governance. Whether you're an industry professional looking to enhance your skills or someone new to the field, this course equips you with practical tools, expert knowledge, and the confidence to navigate the complexities of supply chain due diligence. Enroll today to build a solid foundation for your career in supply chain compliance and drive positive change in global business practices!

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global supply chain and logistics network showing cargo ships, containers, and aircraft for Supply Chain Due Diligence Compliance (LkSG) training course

Global supply chains have never faced more scrutiny. The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz (LkSG) represents a seismic shift in how companies must operate. For the first time in German legislative history, organisations are legally required to identify, prevent, and remedy human rights violations and environmental damage not just within their own operations but across their entire supply chain from raw material extraction to the delivery of the finished product.

Enacted in July 2021 and entering into force on 1 January 2023, LkSG initially applied to companies with 3,000 or more employees in Germany. Since January 2024, it extends to all companies with 1,000 or more employees operating in Germany. This means approximately 2,800+ companies are directly within scope, and tens of thousands of SMEs face indirect pressure as suppliers to these organisations.

Non-compliance is not an option. Violations carry fines of up to 2% of annual global turnover and exclusion from public procurement contracts for up to three years, reputational consequences that can be far more damaging than the fines themselves.

Beyond Germany, the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) signal a pan-European tightening of supply chain accountability. Professionals and organisations who master LkSG compliance today are positioning themselves at the leading edge of the global ESG regulatory landscape.

The Business Case for Proactive Compliance

  • Avoid fines of up to 2% of global annual turnover under LkSG
  • Protect your organisation from exclusion from public procurement tenders for up to three years
  • Mitigate reputational, legal, and operational supply chain risks before they escalate
  • Build investor confidence through robust ESG governance and transparent reporting
  • Gain competitive advantage by embedding ethical supply chain practices ahead of CSDDD deadlines
  • Strengthen supplier relationships and build a resilient, future-proof supply chain

Despite LkSG being in force since 2023, many organisations – particularly mid-sized companies, SMEs in supply chains, and compliance professionals – still struggle to translate the law's obligations into operational reality. Misunderstanding applicability thresholds, failing to establish appropriate grievance mechanisms, inadequate documentation, or missing the BAFA reporting window all expose organisations to significant risk.

This course bridges the gap between legal theory and practical implementation. Developed by compliance, legal, and supply chain specialists, it equips learners with end-to-end mastery of LkSG from foundational legal concepts to advanced strategic integration with EU-level frameworks like the CSDDD and CSRD. Whether you are building a compliance programme from scratch or stress-testing an existing one, this course delivers actionable knowledge that translates directly into your day-to-day role.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Supply Chain Due Diligence Compliance (LkSG) course, learners will be able to:

  • Explain the historical, regulatory, and international context of supply chain due diligence, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and OECD Guidelines
  • Define the full scope, applicability thresholds, and core legal obligations of the LkSG
  • Identify all protected legal interests under LkSG, including human rights and environmental standards derived from international conventions
  • Navigate BAFA's oversight and enforcement powers, including fine structures and public procurement exclusion mechanisms
  • Understand the interplay between LkSG and related German federal laws (OWiG, DCGK, HGB, BGB, StGB)
  • Design and implement a risk-based supplier due diligence framework, including risk analysis, prevention, and remediation measures
  • Establish compliant grievance mechanisms and manage remediation processes effectively
  • Produce BAFA-compliant documentation and annual reports that meet LkSG reporting requirements
  • Leverage digital tools and technology to automate, monitor, and scale LkSG compliance across the supply chain
  • Integrate LkSG compliance into broader corporate strategy, board-level governance, and ESG reporting frameworks
  • Align LkSG programmes with EU-level regulations, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

Course Curriculum

6 Sections 20 Lectures 5 Hours
  • Overview of Supply-Chain Due Diligence
  • Historical and International Context (UNGPs, OECD Guidelines)
  • LkSG: Scope, Applicability, and Thresholds
  • Core Principles of Risk-Based Compliance
  • Core Due Diligence Obligations under LkSG
  • Protected Legal Interests (Human Rights & Environment)
  • BAFA Oversight, Fines, and Public Procurement Exclusions
  • Related Federal Laws (OWiG, DCGK, HGB, BGB, StGB)
  • Risk Management and Supplier Due Diligence
  • Grievance Mechanisms and Remediation
  • Documentation, Reporting, and Audit Readiness
  • Technology & Digital Tools for Compliance
  • Linking LkSG Compliance to Corporate Strategy
  • Executive Leadership and Board-Level Responsibilities
  • Integration with EU Regulations (CSDDD, CSRD)
  • KPIs, Dashboards, and ESG Reporting
  • Case Studies: German SMEs vs. Multinationals
  • Industry-Specific Compliance: Automotive, Food, Chemicals, Retail
  • Geopolitical, Reputational, and Ethical Risk Management
  • Capstone Simulation: End-to-End LkSG Compliance Exercise

    Who is this course suitable for?

    This Supply Chain Due Diligence Compliance (LkSG) course is designed for professionals across sectors who need practical, working knowledge of LkSG compliance. It is particularly valuable for:

    • Compliance Officers and LkSG/Human Rights Officers responsible for implementing and monitoring due diligence obligations
    • Legal Counsel and In-House Lawyers advising on LkSG obligations, contractual obligations to suppliers, and BAFA enforcement risk
    • Procurement and Supply Chain Managers who must operationalise supplier due diligence and manage supplier relationships under LkSG
    • Sustainability and ESG Managers aligning LkSG compliance with corporate sustainability reporting and ESG strategy
    • C-Suite Executives and Board Members seeking governance-level oversight of LkSG obligations and strategic integration
    • Risk and Audit Professionals conducting internal or external audits related to supply chain compliance
    • HR and Worker Rights Specialists working on labour standards, forced labour prevention, and grievance mechanisms
    • SME Owners and Managers whose businesses supply in-scope companies and face indirect LkSG compliance pressure
    • Consultants and Advisors providing LkSG compliance services to German and international clients
    • Public Sector Procurement Officers managing procurement exclusion obligations under LkSG
    • Students and Graduates in law, business, sustainability, and supply chain management seeking specialised professional credentials

    Requirements

    No prior LkSG knowledge is required. A basic understanding of procurement, compliance, sustainability, legal operations or supply-chain management will be helpful. Learners should be ready to work with policies, supplier scenarios, risk assessments and governance examples.

    Career opportunities

    LkSG expertise is in high demand as German companies, multinationals, and their global supply chains race to achieve compliance. Completion of this course opens doors to a wide range of high-value career opportunities:

    • LkSG Compliance Officer / Human Rights Officer — a newly mandated role within in-scope companies
    • Supply Chain Sustainability Manager — overseeing ESG risk across global supplier networks
    • Procurement Compliance Specialist — embedding LkSG due diligence into sourcing and supplier management processes
    • ESG Reporting & Strategy Analyst — aligning LkSG obligations with CSRD, CSDDD, and stakeholder reporting
    • Legal and Regulatory Affairs Manager — advising on LkSG enforcement risk, contractual obligations, and regulatory change
    • Risk & Audit Manager (Supply Chain) — conducting supplier audits, risk assessments, and BAFA audit preparation
    • Sustainability Consultant / LkSG Advisor — supporting German SMEs and multinationals in implementing compliant frameworks
    • Corporate Governance Specialist — integrating LkSG compliance into board-level governance and reporting
    • Supply Chain Technology Specialist — implementing digital compliance tools, ESG platforms, and supplier data systems
    • Academic and Training Roles — delivering LkSG training within organisations, chambers of commerce, or educational institutions

    Further information on EU regulations: EU regulations

    Certification information

    Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a CPD Quality Standard-accredited Supply Chain Due Diligence Compliance (LkSG) Certificate documenting your knowledge & skills in this area.

    Certificate Image

    Frequently Asked Questions

    01 What is the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG)? +

    The Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz (LkSG) is a German law requiring companies to identify, prevent, and address human rights and environmental risks within their global supply chains. It entered into force in 2023.

    More information: here

    02 Which companies must comply with the LkSG? +

    The law applies to companies that have at least 1,000 employees in Germany, including German companies and foreign companies with operations in Germany.

    03 Which authority supervises LkSG compliance? +

    The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) oversees compliance with the Supply Chain Act. BAFA can conduct audits, impose fines, and exclude companies from public procurement.

    Official guidance: her

    04 Does the course cover EU supply chain regulations? +

    Yes. The course also explains upcoming EU legislation such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

    05 Is this course suitable for beginners? +

    Yes. The course begins with foundational concepts of supply chain due diligence and gradually progresses toward practical implementation and governance strategies.

    06 How does this course help with career development? +

    The course builds expertise in supply chain governance, ESG compliance, and human rights due diligence, which are rapidly growing areas of employment across Germany and the European Union.

    07 Do I need legal knowledge before taking this course? +

    No prior legal background is required. The course explains relevant German laws and regulatory frameworks in a structured and accessible manner suitable for professionals from different backgrounds.

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