The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) strongly regrets today’s vote in the European Parliament approving the outcome of the trilogue negotiations on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. This will significantly weaken the 2024 Directive by exempting a large number of companies from due diligence obligations.
Isabelle Schömann, ETUC Deputy General Secretary, said:
"This decision represents a rollback of the EU’s human rights and sustainability framework, based on claims from parts of the business community that due diligence requirements are too costly and burdensome, claims for which no evidence has been provided.
"In contrast, ETUC research shows that stronger sustainability standards, reduced risks and increased transparency could deliver macroeconomic benefits of up to 0.8% of EU GDP. Human rights cannot be subject to cost–benefit calculations, and labour must not be treated as a commodity.
"We will continue to work with determination to protect and promote human rights, workers’ rights, trade union rights and environmental protection throughout global supply chains. The ETUC will closely monitor the implementation of the revised Directive to ensure full respect for European values and the European social model, and to guarantee that companies are held accountable for adverse impacts on workers, their families and affected communities. Thanks to our advocacy work, the legislation still provides for a role for workers and trade unions in addressing working conditions in the (even shortened) supply chains, and for them to shape due diligence plans.
"The ETUC is concerned about the process followed under the so-called Omnibus I initiative, which failed to comply with EU Better Regulation principles on consultation and impact assessment, as confirmed by the European Ombudswoman. This approach has prioritised narrow corporate interests and relied on political alliances with far-right parties, undermining democratic standards and social progress.
"The ETUC remains firmly committed to the defence of European values, including human dignity, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. These values must underpin a highly competitive social market economy that delivers full employment, social progress, including a high level of protection for workers and their representatives across supply chains."
