Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited BNP Paribas to comment on two articles (in Sustainable Views and IPE) on the inclusion of financial activities in the EU CSDDD and alleged resistance from the French financial sector. We asked the following additional questions:

1. What is BNP Paribas’ position on the CSDDD?
2. Does BNP Paribas support the inclusion of financial activities in the CSDDD, as many financial institutions do?

BNP Paribas provided the following response:

Like all large French companies, BNP Paribas is subject to the French duty of Vigilance law since 2017 and has welcomed the European Union’s plan to legislate as an essential step in establishing a level-playing field at regional level.

BNP Paribas took part in the discussions and consultations initiated by Parliament and the Commission on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) through the local groups (ORSE, AFEP-MEDEF, FBF, FBE.) of which it is a member, as it usually does.

BNP Paribas is now closely following the work of the EU institutions on this matter and will comply with the European Directive when it will be adopted.