The European market should not be a place for products and services resulted from child or forced labour. It is the key message of Renew Europe today as the European Parliament adopted a legislative initiative report on due diligence.
Renew Europe supported this report that aims to ensure that companies comply with human rights, environment and good governance obligations throughout their entire supply chains, even outside the EU. The report also proposes sanctions for malpractice and legal support for victims.
Pascal DURAND (Renaissance, France), negotiator for Renew Europe, declared: ”This text adopted by a large majority shows that the Parliament wants to change the practices of large firms and better define their responsibilities in a globalized world facing environmental scourges and human rights abuses, such as forced or child labour”.
“The legislation we are proposing today will enable access to justice for victims of such abuses, by introducing an obligation of means for EU and non-EU companies operating on the single market: these companies will have to identify the vulnerabilities of their supply chains and develop strategies to prevent and mitigate those risks”.
Renew Europe thinks that the project of directive included in the report and the future biding legislation the Commission will propose later this year, should set the standard for responsible business conduct.
“A harmonization at EU level is also needed to allow virtuous European companies to compete on an equal footing”, concludes Pascal Durand.
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