About RTDD

Why RTDD

Road Transport Due Diligence (RTDD) provides a worker-centred approach to human rights due diligence in road transport. It maps the contracting chain from the customer to the ultimate transport company and truck driver, and provides a clear picture of compliance and non-compliance through desk research and on-the-ground engagement with workers. 

For truck drivers, RTDD provides a reliable, safe, and anonymous avenue to raise issues, and contributes to creating a sustainable road transport industry. 

For customer companies, RTDD delivers insight into road transport supply chains. It provides a safe and constructive environment to discuss concerns about supply risks and potential violations. And it identifies where and how steps towards remedy can be taken. This is achieved through a unique form of supply chain monitoring, based on confidential relationships with workers and insider expertise.

THE RTDD FOUNDATION

Since 2018, the trade union organisations the Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) have worked together to develop the Road Transport Due Diligence methodology. 

This cooperation led to the establishment in 2021 of the Stichting Road Transport Due Diligence, or Road Transport Due Diligence Foundation, also known as the RTDD Foundation. The RTDD Foundation is an independent organisation dedicated to the implementation of RTDD in European road transport supply chains. 

There is a growing awareness of supply chain accountability, as witnessed by increasing international attention to due diligence and the introduction of national legislation in countries such as France and Germany. In this context, many companies are seeking to reduce human rights risks in their supply chains, but struggle with how to do this. 

The RTDD Foundation can help companies by delivering insight into road transport supply chains, providing a safe and constructive environment to discuss concerns about supply chain risks and potential violations, and identifying where and how steps towards remedy can be taken.

FOUNDATION GOVERNANCE

According to its Articles of Association, the RTDD Foundation’s objectives are to:

• Promote due diligence in international road transport, in order to improve the control and enforcement of applicable employment and working conditions 
• Make agreements with companies about due diligence, in accordance with the RTDD model
• Conduct due diligence investigations and publish reports
• Investigate applicable laws and make recommendations for improving them
• Provide education and training to promote due diligence   

The Foundation consists of a board that governs and guides RTDD and a management team responsible for implementing RTDD. The day-to-day work of the RTDD Foundation is managed by Foundation staff in charge of promoting due diligence in international road transport, carrying out investigations, conducting research, and engaging with customer companies at the top of European road transport supply chains. 

The RTDD Foundation is financed through donations and grants, and through resources included in RTDD agreements with customer companies at the top of the supply chain.