When it’s the slaves that pay: In search of a fair due diligence cost distribution in conflict mineral supply chains

•Cost-sharing mechanisms for sustainability need to be contextualized to avoid unintended consequences.•Current due diligence schemes have limited effect call for alternative financing mechanisms in supply chains.•The bottom up view for cost-sharing mechanisms for sustainability is required so that upstream suppliers aren’t squeezed by more powerful supply chain players downstream.•Cost-sharing mechanisms have salient implications for the design of modern slavery legislation.