Option
With today's vote in the legal committee of the
European Parliament (JURI) have MEPs for a
EUSupply Chain Act voted, the company committed
Human rights, environment and climate along their entire
to protect the value chain. The civil society
Organizations Südwind, GLOBAL 2000 and Netzwerk Soziale
Responsibilities welcome the improved legal access.
At the same time, enormous loopholes remain, through which companies
no responsibility for despite EU supply chain law
human rights violations and environmental damage.
“The remaining gaps pose a risk that the law for
Affected could remain ineffective. About the fact that
Parent companies do not have to be liable for their subsidiary companies as well”,
says Bettina Rosenberger, coordinator of the human rights campaign
need laws!. “For an effective EU supply chain law,
there are still extensive resharpenings.”
One of the biggest hurdles is the burden of proof.
“The EU supply chain law must include the perspective of those affected in the
center. In order to actually get their rights, you have to
Victims of human rights violations, also according to the proposal of the
Legal Committee, overcome massive hurdles. The burden of proof may
do not rest solely on the shoulders of those affected. It takes
a reversal, requiring companies to demonstrate that they are participating
keep the rules,” demands Bettina Rosenberger.
Members of the Legal Affairs Committee voted in favour
Due diligence with a risk-based approach. That means,
that the entire value chain is subject to due diligence
should, and not just parts of it. In addition, companies must
special attention to the risk areas in their
create value chains. Remains open in the current
Draft law on whether effective controls are guaranteed:
“Outsourced audits and commercial reviews have evolved in the
Past proved unreliable and could catastrophes
not prevent. For example, the Rana Plaza textile factory fell despite
a social audit by TÜV Rheinland,” says Stefan
Grasgruber guy, Southwind supply chain expert. "Therefore it takes
independent, effective controls involving trade unions
and civil society. Companies must be obliged to
Carry out risk analyzes and real protective measures
guarantee,” says Grasgruber-Kerl.
In view of the worsening climate and environmental crisis, the
Make future-oriented decisions in politics – but also the
Corporate climate responsibility lags far behind
recommendations of the parliamentary environment committee. ann
Leitner, resource and supply chain expert at GLOBAL 2000
still sees potential for improvement: “People, experts and
Climate movements agree that climate commitments in
supply chain law must be enshrined. Today's decision
in the Legal Affairs Committee is an important step, but goes further
loopholes for greenwashing. For financial actors still apply
before only weakened due diligence, so they continue in
Companies can invest that harm people and the environment.”
The vote in the EU Parliament is expected to take place in May.
After that, the trilogue negotiations begin, in which the Council also
will occupy an important position.
About “Human rights need laws!”:
The campaign Human rights need laws! is from one
supported by a broad civil society alliance and by the network
Social Responsibility (NeSoVe) coordinated. Together with over 100
Mobilize NGOs and trade unions from all over Europe
civil society organizations and trade unions in the course of the
new campaign "Justice is Everybody's Business!"([Justice is Everybody's
business] (https://justice-business.org/)) for a
EU supply chain law, human and labor rights, the environment
and protects the climate effectively.
Photo / Video: Shutterstock.
