What Responsible Contracting Project does

The Responsible Contracting Project (RCP) is a nonprofit initiative founded in 2022 and housed within Rutgers Law School's Center for Corporate Law and Governance in Newark, New Jersey. RCP develops and disseminates open-source model contract clauses, codes of conduct, implementation guidance, and policy briefs that translate the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and OECD Due Diligence Guidance into contractual obligations between buyers and suppliers. The product portfolio spans sector-agnostic clauses (Model Contract Clauses 2.0, European Model Clauses, Supplier Model Clauses, Responsible Investor Model Clauses), sector-specific tools (Tea Sector Model Clauses, Spice Supply Chains Guidance), the Responsible Purchasing Code of Conduct (Buyer Code), and policy briefs on legislation such as the EU CSDDD, with adoption reported across apparel, food and beverage, shipping, electronics, and public procurement.

RCP's core business model is grant-funded nonprofit work, with revenue from foundations (Laudes Foundation, Open Society Foundations) and government agencies (GIZ), supplemented by fee-based services including informational seminars (no cost), deep-dive workshops and trainings, and multi-month gap analyses against HREDD laws and the RCP toolkit. Operating costs are materially subsidized by pro bono legal counsel from Linklaters, Goodwin Procter, and Allens. Go-to-market targets four stakeholder groups: companies (brands, retailers, manufacturers), governmental organizations (lawmakers, regulators, enforcement agencies), private standard-setters (certification schemes, industry associations, benchmarking organizations), and investors (mainstream, faith-based, impact), with engagement delivered through a self-serve open-source toolkit, events and academic publications, and fee-based enterprise advisory engagements. Distribution relies on direct website download for tools plus field-based workshops and gap analyses for paid services.

Name

Responsible Contracting Project

Legal name

Responsible Contracting Project

Website

https://responsiblecontracting.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Responsible Contracting Project is a nonprofit initiative housed at Rutgers Law School that develops open-source model contract clauses and policy briefs translating UN human rights and environmental due diligence standards into binding supply-chain contract obligations for brands, suppliers, governments, and standard-setters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Newark, New Jersey

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Government Funding: RCP is a non-profit initiative funded by foundations including Laudes Foundation and Open Society Foundations, government agencies including GIZ, and supported by pro bono counsel from law firms including Allens, Goodwin Procter, and Linklaters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RCP offers an open-source Toolkit of practical contractual tools — including model contract clauses (MCCs 2.0, EMCs, SMCs, RIMCs, TMCs), sector-specific guidance, the Responsible Purchasing Code of Conduct, policy briefs, and implementation materials — that translate international human rights and environmental due diligence standards (UNGPs, OECD Guidelines) into binding supply contract obligations promoting shared responsibility between buyers and suppliers. RCP complements these tools with advisory services including informational seminars (typically free), deep-dive workshops and trainings (fee-based), and gap analyses (fee-based) to help companies, governments, standard-setters, investors, and suppliers adopt responsible contracting practices.

Product overview

The Responsible Contracting Project (RCP) offers an open-source Toolkit of practical contractual tools that promote shared responsibility for human rights and the environment in global supply chains. The portfolio includes sector-agnostic model contract clauses (MCCs 2.0, EMCs, SMCs, RIMCs), sector-specific tools (TMCs for tea, Spice Guidance for spices), codes of conduct (Buyer Code), guidance documents, policy briefs, and educational resources. These tools are complemented by fee-based services including informational seminars, deep-dive workshops and trainings, and gap analyses. RCP's approach translates UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and OECD Guidelines into contractual obligations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Model Contract Clauses (MCCs 2.0) Sector-agnostic model contract clauses that translate the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and OECD Due Diligence Guidance into contractual obligations for supply contracts. Includes joint obligation for buyer and supplier to carry out ongoing HREDD, buyer responsibilities for responsible purchasing practices, and buyer commitment to responsible exit.
• European Model Clauses (EMCs) Sector-agnostic model clauses developed by the European Working Group to embed shared responsibility for human rights and environmental due diligence into commercial purchasing agreements within the EU regulatory context.
• Supplier Model Contract Clauses 1.0 (SMCs) Model clauses designed to improve human rights in the apparel and textiles industry, drafted at the behest of the Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative (STTI), with input from pro bono counsel at Linklaters.
• Responsible Investor Model Clauses (RIMCs) Model clauses for investors to include in their financing agreements with companies, translating UNGPs and UN Principles for Responsible Investing into contractual obligations.
• Tea Sector Model Clauses (TMCs) Model contract clauses designed to help buyers, relevant intermediaries, and producers in the tea sector implement their commitment to responsible business conduct through responsible contracting.
• Responsible Purchasing Code of Conduct (Buyer Code) Model language that sets out steps buyers (brands and retailers) can take to support positive human rights outcomes through responsible purchasing practices.
• Guidance for Responsible Contracting in Spice Supply Chains A practical guide and toolkit for use by buyers, suppliers, and producers in the spice sector, showing how contracts can serve as practical tools to support effective human rights and environmental due diligence.
• Investor Guidance on Responsible Contracting Guidance co-developed with ICCR and Know the Chain that educates investors on how to engage portfolio companies in responsible contracting, including sample engagement questions and shareholder resolution letters.
• Informational Seminars
• Deep-Dive Workshops and Trainings In-depth workshops where the RCP team goes over the why and what of responsible contracting, discusses specific model contract clauses, and leads group exercises using different scenarios. May charge a fee and can take place in-person, hybrid, or virtually.
• Gap Analyses Analyses to assess due diligence alignment, focusing on gaps between a company's supply contracts and codes of conduct, HREDD laws (e.g., EU CSDDD), or RCP Toolkit model clauses. Typically provided on a fee basis over a couple of months.
• Responsible Contracting Supplier Training Interactive training program to help apparel and textile manufacturers understand the fundamentals of human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD), navigate the evolving legislative landscape, and implement Responsible Contracting. Developed in partnership with GIZ and Fair Wear, with over 300 suppliers trained since November 2024 across Serbia, Vietnam, Türkiye, and planned expansion in 2025 to India, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, and Tunisia.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 suppliers trained since November 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Rutgers Law School Center for Corporate Law and GovernancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022RCP is housed within Rutgers Law School's Center for Corporate Law and Governance. The Center provides institutional support and affiliation for RCP's operations and activities.
• Linklaters LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational law firm providing generous pro bono counsel support for RCP's toolkit development, including work on Supplier Model Contract Clauses (SMCs).
• AllensmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAustralian law firm providing pro bono counsel, including development of GRS Model Tender Clauses with NSW Office of Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
• Goodwin ProctermajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm providing pro bono counsel support for RCP's initiatives.
• Fair WearcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit promoting human rights and dignified employment for garment workers. RCP partnered with Fair Wear to develop and deliver Responsible Contracting Supplier Training program, having trained over 300 suppliers since November 2024.
• Sustainable Spice Initiative (SSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSector-wide consortium of companies working to advance sustainable production of spices. RCP developed Responsible Spice Guidance in close collaboration with SSI, providing practical contracting guidance for the spice sector.
• ETP (Ethical Tea Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal membership organization advocating for workers in tea supply chains. RCP worked with ETP to launch Tea Sector Model Clauses (TMCs) to help buyers, intermediaries, and producers implement responsible business conduct through responsible contracting.
• B LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStandard-setter behind B Corp certification. Updated standards for B Corp certification (April 2025) explicitly incorporate principles of responsible contracting, referencing Buyer Code and MCCs 2.0 as implementation tools.
• Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility (ICCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of faith-based investors. RCP co-developed Investor Guidance on Responsible Contracting in partnership with ICCR, Know the Chain, and other groups.
• Electronics WatchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit using public procurement leverage to promote worker rights. RCP collaborated to align Electronics Watch Contract Conditions Version 3.0 with UNGPs, embodying core principles of Responsible Contracting.
• ModintmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch trade association for textile and clothing companies. Collaborated on gap analyses of member companies' contracts including RNF/Mexx, Hakro, and Kuyichi.
• IDH (Sustainable Trade Initiative)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting sustainable trade. Provided additional funding and expert advice for Responsible Spice Guidance development alongside SSI.
• WorldCC FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on world commerce and contracting. Collaborated on events and discussions around sustainable contracting practices.
• Shift ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO dedicated to dissemination of UNGPs. Identified one-sided contract terms as roadblock to effective HREDD implementation and advocated for MCCs 2.0 approach.
• Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative (STTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal manufacturer-driven initiative. RCP drafted Supplier Model Contract Clauses (SMCs) 1.0 at STTI's behest, supported by Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) and FABRIC on behalf of German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/responsible-contracting-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Responsible Contracting Project