Due diligence and corporate liability of the defence industry: Arms exports, end use and corporate responsibility

This report analyses the due diligence and related liability of businesses which export military items and technologies. The report is guided by the following research questions:

• What does the concept of due diligence entail? How does it relate to other concepts and practices such as ‘corporate social responsibility’ and ‘internal compliance programmes’?
• To what extent can companies be held liable for violations of obligations under international law, such as international human rights law and international humanitarian law, regarding exported weapons and their components?
• What are the opportunities for the defence industry to exercise due diligence and the challenges the industry faces in exercising it?