PHM-Exch> EU initiative on corporate accountability

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Paul de Clerck <paul.declerck at foeeurope.org>

*After more than a decade of campaigning, yesterday EU Commissioner for
Justice, Reynders, announced that the EU will come with a legislative
proposal for HR due diligence. He also mentioned that liability and
sanctions must be part of it.*

*BRUSSELS PROPOSES CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPPLY CHAINS:* The
European Commission will come up with a legislative proposal by 2021,
requiring companies to ensure that human rights and environmental goals are
respected by their suppliers and partners, Justice Commissioner Didier
Reynders announced during a webinar with MEPs on Wednesday. The proposal
comes after Brussels published a study
<https://politico.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e26c1a1c392386a968d02fdbc&id=60d98de28f&e=c0c5bc676f>
stressing the need to address human rights abuses and polluting practices
through more responsible corporate governance.

*Mandatory due diligence:* The substance of the proposal still has to be
defined, but Reynders said the Commission would push for a mandatory
mechanism with an inter-sectoral approach and the possibility of
sanctioning firms that fail to monitor for human rights and green rules
violations. “It’s important that we have the possibility to sanction,” he
said, adding that “a regulation without sanctions is not a regulation.”

*Happy MEPs:* “This is a breakthrough. Such a law will oblige companies
along the entire supply chain to respect human rights and environmental
standards,” said Anna Cavazzini, trade policy spokeswoman of the Greens/EFA
group.
-- 

*Paul de Clerck | Economic Justice Program Coordinator | Friends of the
Earth Europe *

Email: paul.declerck at foeeurope.org |
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