Until recently Guus Houttuin was Senior Trade Advisor to the European External Action Service. He chairs the OECD Multi-stakeholder Steering Group on "responsible minerals" and initiated the long-term relationship between the EU and the OECD on responsible minerals and on due diligence/RBC. He worked extensively on due diligence in the supply chain and responsible business conduct from a Brussels’ and global perspective and steered the EU monitoring of countries' performance on human and labour rights under the EU's General Scheme of Preferences. As UN Ambassador for the EU-Council he contributed to the establishment of the Human Rights Council. As Deputy Trade Representative to the WTO he prioritized the early discussions about the relationship between trade and sustainable development. Earlier in his career Guus Houttuin was Legal Adviser to the Council of the European Union, heading the drafting negotiations on the Kyoto and Cartagena protocols. He has a number of pro-bono functions and is a partner in the German law firm Alber & Geiger. He also advises the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM).