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Raise your voice to tell the EU to take action and hold business accountable
The European Commission is finally ready to consider a new law to hold businesses accountable for their impact on people and the planet. But first, it wants to hear from you.
Following the announcement by the EU’s Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders that new human rights and environmental rules for business are coming in 2021, the European Commission launched a public consultation on how to design new corporate due diligence rules.
This consultation is your opportunity to raise your voice and tell the European Commission to propose new rules on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence that would require all companies — from fossil fuel giants to fashion retailers and electronics makers — to establish effective policies to make sure human rights and the environment are not being harmed in their global operations and supply chains.
Such a law would be a big milestone in the fight for corporate accountability.
Too many companies are operating with impunity around the world. They wreck the environment, abuse workers’ and trade union rights, kick indigenous people off their land or support modern day slavery. Those who stand up to corporate abuses around the world are often fired from their jobs, thrown in jail, go missing or worse.
But for this law to work, it must:
- Cover human rights, environmental and social impacts throughout the whole supply chain
- Have teeth: companies must face strong penalties if they break the rules
- Make companies liable for bad practices at home and abroad
- Involve trade unions in the preparation of due diligence plans every step of the way
- Make sure companies always consult with (potentially) affected communities and individuals – and in some cases get their consent
- Make it easier for all victims of corporate abuse, trade unions, and civil society to seek justice in EU courts
Agree?
We need as many people as possible to convince the European Commission to change the rules of the game.
The consultation ends on 8 February 2021, while the Commission proposal is expected in the second quarter of 2021.
