Chapter 04 · People & supply chainsSupply Chain & Due Diligence
First mile
Definition
First mile refers to the earliest stage of a supply chain, often where raw materials are produced, harvested, collected or first aggregated.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “First mile” is defined and used.
Overview
What it means in practice
First mile should be read as a supply-chain and due-diligence term. Its practical meaning depends on the product, relationship, tier, geography and evidence available.
In practice, users should state the boundary, actor, evidence source and decision context. That keeps first mile clear enough for review without overstating what is known.
Why it matters
First mile matters because supply-chain language is often used to allocate responsibility, request evidence and decide where risk work should focus. Clear wording helps avoid hiding uncertainty behind familiar terms.
Common misconception
A common error is to treat First mile as proof of control. The stronger approach is to state what has been verified, what remains unknown and what evidence supports the claim.
Review questions
Who is using the term, and for what decision? What source or evidence supports it? What boundary, role or limitation should be stated so the reader does not overread the claim?
How it is used
In professional practice, “First mile” helps employers, buyers, suppliers, governments, workers and affected communities describe or assess the earliest stage of a supply chain, often where raw materials are produced, harvested, collected or first aggregated. It is commonly encountered in workplace policy, sourcing, human-rights due diligence, community engagement and supply-chain management.
A credible application identifies the affected population, supply-chain boundary, local context, timeframe and evidence from rights-holders.