ETI joins 26 companies, business associations and initiatives in joint call for EU mandatory human rights & environmental due diligence

ETI has today joined 26 companies, business associations and initiatives to call for EU-wide, cross-sectoral mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation.

The group of signatories includes large multinationals with a combined annual turnover of almost 350 billion Euros.

The statement says:

'Mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation has already been introduced, or is under discussion, in a number of EU member states and other countries around the world and has gained  substantive public support by businesses. Mandatory legislation can contribute to a competitive level-playing field, increase legal certainty about the standards expected from companies to respect human rights and the environment, clarify legal consequences for when responsibilities are not met, promote engagement and impactful actions between supply chain partners and, above all, trigger and incentivise impactful and effective actions on the ground. EU-wide cross-sectoral legislation, reflecting national developments and with clear accountability, should harmonise these expectations towards companies, ultimately enhancing outcomes for people and the planet. We therefore welcome the European Union and its member states’ efforts to introduce new mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation, as an integral part of the move to build back a more resilient economy that works for all.’

Read further details and download the full statement.