Businesses & NGOs call on Italian Govt. to support EU due diligence directive
In March 2024, over 50 representatives from businesses including Ferrero, Mondelez Italia, Mars, Mutti, Italpreziosi, Save the Duck, and Compagnia dei Caraibi, associations such as OI Pomodoro da Industria Nord Italia and Ol Pomodoro Centro Sud Italia (tomato producers from Northern and Southern Italy), and CNA (SME association), as well as organisations such as B Lab Italy and a number of NGOs, urged the Italian Government to support the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
The statement says the text agreed by EU negotiators in December 2023 "reflects a careful and pragmatic balance between the resolute commitment of countries to protect human rights and sustainability, and the need for caution in imposing new obligations on companies in a period of uncertainty and complexity in the global marketplace."
It continues: "The obligations in the directive ensure a high level of alignment with internationally recognised due diligence standards. The proposal will provide common standards, instead of regulatory fragmentation that would only lead to uncertainty and complexity, also for Italian companies." [unofficial translation from Italian]
The full statement in Italian including signatory logos is attached. A previous statement to the Italian Government supported by Ferrero, Mars and Mondelēz was published in February.
Full Statement (PDF, Italian)
Businesses & NGOs call on Italian Government to support EU due diligence directive