FFI joins over 220 CSOs calling for a stronger EU corporate sustainability due diligence directive

The European Commission's proposal must be strengthened to end corporate harm to human rights, the environment and climate

On 23 February 2022, the European Commission released its proposal for a directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence. This directive could represent a landmark step forward in minimising the negative impacts of businesses on workers, communities and the environment worldwide. In response, over 220 NGOs and trade unions from around the world welcome the proposal as an essential and long-awaited step toward corporate accountability, responsible business conduct and access to justice.

However, the proposal contains significant flaws that risk preventing the directive from achieving the positive impact that people, planet, and climate urgently need. FFI joined over 220 human rights, labour and environmental organisations and networks calling on the European Parliament and EU Member States to strengthen the text in line with what EU citizens, workers and communities affected by corporate abuses worldwide have vocally and publicly demanded.

The joint statement outlines our collective views on how to improve the proposal to guarantee that the law will effectively prevent corporate harm to human rights, the environment and climate; as well as provide victims of corporate abuse with access to effective remedies.

Fair Finance International specifically calls for the responsibility of financial institutions to be strengthened to ensure investing and lending decisions are made in keeping with ESG criteria.

Read the statement in full here.