[T]he proposals emphasise the need to avoid unintended consequences for farmers, miners and workers who may already be in vulnerable positions. Poorly thought-out regulation, the paper warns, can risk a de facto ban from the EU market that robs poorer producers of their income, or inadvertently reduces transparency if companies fear reputational damage when publishing their due diligence reports

…According to the paper ‘Changing gear; accelerating inclusive and sustainable production through a new European regulatory framework’, inaction is no longer an option; saying “it is time to move the discussion beyond whether a regulatory framework is necessary onto how an effective framework should look.”

The new regulatory framework proposed by Solidaridad would introduce binding instruments at EU level, with seven distinct aims; including that it fosters ongoing partnerships between governments, aligns with established international standards and guidelines, and proactively supports producers and actors on the ground to help make the transition to sustainable production.