"Ensuring an effective Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive", 28. November 2022

Dear minister,

The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) has the potential to be a win-win for citizens, companies, States and the planet. If robust, these rules will protect human rights, the environment and climate; contribute to a resilient economy by improving quality of life for workers and those that depend on business; prevent economic and climate crises; and enable social and economic justice. Half a million citizens, civil society organizations and trade unions expect a strong Directive that ensures companies respect human rights and the environment and take decisive climate action. But the window of opportunity is closing.

As the Council is scheduled to reach a General Approach at this Thursday’s COMPET meeting, we welcome Member States’ efforts to act quickly and commend the outstanding leadership of the Czech Presidency on delivering a workable text. However, rather than living up to your commitments under existing international standards and strengthening the European Commission proposal, some of the provisions under discussion in the Council instead dramatically weaken the text. Over 200 civil society organizations have been clear on the essential elements the Directive must contain. We are concerned that the direction the Council is taking is detrimental to people and the planet.

We are asking you to support a more constructive initial position of the Council, by using your vote this 1st of December in favor of a General Approach that:

● Ensures the Directive covers the full value chain including downstream impacts and the full coverage of the financial sector;

● Expands, not curtails, the scope of rights and impacts covered by the Directive, including ensuring due diligence for climate impacts and concrete transition plans;

● Strengthens access to justice provisions and addresses barriers to justice often faced by claimants in business-related human rights and environmental cases.

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We have a range of other concerns, which we have laid out in previous correspondence, meetings and public outreach. We are at your disposal for more detailed proposals or other exchanges. Thank you for your consideration of this urgent request by citizens and rights-holders.

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