Lawyers and scholars working on EMC stress the importance of CSDDD

To the Governments of the Member States of the European Union, the Members of European Parliament and the Members of the national Parliaments of the Member States of the European Union

We are legal professionals from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands and Portugal who work together to develop European Model Clauses (EMC) in the framework of the future European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The EMC shall encourage balanced and effective contracts between buyers and suppliers worldwide. [...]

Coming from very different EU countries, backgrounds and philosophies, we are all driven by the need to respect the fundamental values of human rights. They are the bedrock of the European Union, enabling stability and peace in Europe. We believe that the CSDDD - once enacted - will be a valuable tool to enable companies to contribute to these values through Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence in their value chains. This is a historic opportunity for the EU.

The text of the CSDDD was negotiated in the trilogue, which is the legitimate procedure that we, as Europeans, use to negotiate directives to be respected by all of the EU Members. As members of a project that crosses many borders, realities and interests, we understand and accept that compromises are also a bedrock of Europe.

Kofi Annan said in Davos that markets should have a « human face », which led to John Ruggie developing the UN Global Compact and UN Guiding Principles. Tools and regulations such as the CSDDD are essential to anchor these principles in business practice. We therefore call on politicians in our respective countries to further strengthen our common principles: for the EU, for the planet and for humanity. Please vote in favour of the CSDDD!

[Full letter and signatories attached]