ETI reiterates call to support the CSDDD

ETI shares the concern of many businesses and human rights experts at the news of a possible abstention by Germany at the EU Council vote on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive due Friday 9 February.

Germany has already demonstrated leadership in this area through adoption of a national Due Diligence law in line with the UNGPs, so at this late stage to put at risk the wider EU effort by abstaining is very serious and difficult to understand. 

Some 280 businesses and concerned organisations have sent a letter which makes clear that “The CSDDD offers a historic and, at present, the only chance for an EU-wide level playing field.” We support the call on the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to “secure this democratically achieved compromise and thereby provide companies with legal certainty and fair competitive conditions.”

“So much has been achieved through the negotiations to date and many companies have already changed their approach in anticipation of the CSDDD becoming a reality. This will be a real set-back for responsible business and for those who deserve better protection in global supply chains, if the vote is undermined at this late stage,” says Peter McAllister Executive Director of ETI