EU’s due diligence rules must be workable for companies and must not weaken the internal market

An important political trialogue on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive takes place today

7 September 2023 - Commenting on the ongoing negotiations, BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson said:

"To be effective, the EU’s due diligence rules need to be workable, clear, and must not weaken the internal market through legal fragmentation.

Overwhelming companies with unrealistic obligations that duplicate national initiatives will not only harm their competitiveness but will also make it harder to access critical materials which are key for the green transition."

BusinessEurope calls on EU legislators to:

• Ensure deeper harmonisation by inserting a genuine single market clause.
• Keep obligations proportionate and not overly prescriptive, being mindful that SMEs will be heavily impacted.
• Delete unnecessary and counter-productive duties and liabilities on board directors.  
• Avoid making the EU a hub for mass litigation with unclear liability provisions and unrestricted litigation powers.

European business continues to speak in one voice on this proposal, having recently issued key recommendations for the legislative process.