Interested in what the Global Justice Clinic at Erfurt University did in the 2023 Clinic Cycle?
Read the Policy-Paper here!
The proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence, adopted by the European Commission on 23 February 2022, is an important step forward for human rights protection in global value chains. However, this proposal neglects a key element for effective due diligence: engagement with rights-holders, particularly those in the Global South. The provisions on stakeholder engagement are fragmented, vague, and underdeveloped. Additionally, these provisions do not adequately reflect the current state of international human rights law and international guidelines. The Commission’s proposal falls short of creating the regulatory environment necessary to enable effective implementation of sustainability due diligence.
Therefore, this policy briefing paper discusses the rationales for including more substantive provisions on engagement with stakeholders in general and with rights -holders in particular. It also pinpoints areas for improvement in the current draft and makes recommendations for strengthening the provisions on stakeholder engagement, proposing specific language for amendments in the final text of the directive.
Learn more about the Global Justice Clinic at the University of Erfurt.
