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(Brussels) – New European Union A directive passed on May 24, 2024, requiring large companies to ensure their value chains respect human rights marks a new era for corporate accountability, Human Rights Watch said today. Question and Answer Document About the provisions, advantages and disadvantages of the new law.
The document describes how the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will require companies to conduct due diligence. Under the new law, large companies will be required to identify, mitigate, prevent and remediate harmful impacts on human rights and the environment in their operations and their environmental impacts. Value Chain; That is, The Company’s business partners who are involved in the production, distribution, transportation and storage of the Company’s products. It provides for regulatory oversight and the possibility of bringing civil actions against companies in the European Courts.
“The EU’s Due Diligence Directive represents a landmark shift from voluntary corporate responsibility to mandatory obligations for companies to prevent and address human rights abuses.” Tirana HassanExecutive Director of Human Rights Watch. Civilized Society The web is at the forefront of the fight for corporate accountability. Despite fierce opposition from powerful corporate lobbies seeking to block or indefinitely delay the law, this directive is a testament to the strength and perseverance of those advocating for justice and accountability in the corporate sector.”
Industrial disasters that cause death and injury to workers in the garment and textile industries, e.g. Rana Plaza building collapse exist Bangladeshand corporate violations of human rights, labour rights and environmental standards in global value chains, as well as their contribution to the climate crisis, have sparked support for binding legislation to hold companies accountable.
Human rights organizations, trade unions, political leaders, and even enterprise The law required companies to conduct due diligence in their own operations and in their value chains in Europe and around the world. But the legislative process, which began in 2020, has been difficult and has faced strong opposition, with the governments of France, Italy and Germany leading efforts to significantly weaken the law’s provisions. Human Rights Watch said that corporate influence on norm-setting should be closely monitored and limited in order to strongly protect human rights and the environment.
The coming years will be crucial to ensure strong implementation and enforcement of the law. The European Commission should monitor how EU Member States incorporate the directive into their national laws and legal systems and set clear guidelines on how to implement and enforce the directive.
“This new law is an important step in ensuring that businesses respect their responsibilities to communities and the environment,” Hassan said. “The EU vote opens a new chapter for victims of corporate harm.”
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