Löning – Human Rights & Responsible Business GmbH

✨ 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆! ✨ Stay connected with us in 2025: https://lnkd.in/dBCrZwfu With best wishes, Team Löning 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 Burcu Koleli, 𝘢 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮, 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦: https://lnkd.in/daEgcZ39 #HappyHolidays #HappyNewYear

𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰! From #LkSG to #CSDDD, and #EUDR to #EUFLR, this year brought big shifts in the business and human rights landscape. A year of challenges, progress, and new commitments to responsible and sustainable practices. 🌱💡 We’ve compiled a list of five key legal developments that shaped the #bizhumanrights space across Europe — reflecting on where we are and what might come ahead. #2024Wrapped #CorporateSustainability #HREDD #CSRD #ResponsibleBusiness #SupplyChain

🌍 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀, 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀, 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗗: 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻   The new BAFA guidance on the use of standards, audits, and certifications under the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (#LkSG) addresses the long-awaited question of what role these instruments can and should play in the human rights and environmental due diligence (#HREDD) process.   While the LkSG doesn’t explicitly endorse or mandate these tools, BAFA underscores their value as supportive instruments—not replacements—for fulfilling a company’s responsibilities. This aligns with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (#CSDDD), where Article 20 specifies that independent third-party verification can only be used to 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 due diligence obligations where 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦.   🔑 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿? 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 means enhancing a company’s efforts, not replacing them. 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 requires careful alignment with specific risks and contexts, especially vis-à-vis sectors in which standards and certifications have repeatedly proven to be opaque and compromised in their integrity. BAFA highlights the need for companies to: 🔹 Evaluate the 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 of standards and certificates 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 implementing them.  🔹 Define clear requirements for standard systems to ensure the 'targeted selection and comparison‘ of each system for the company’s needs.  🔹 Avoid 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 on IT tools or software solutions in the HREDD context, which could result in inadequate risk management or regulatory non-compliance, especially if the tools fail to meet legal requirements.   📢 The guidance sends a clear message: 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗗 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀—𝗶𝗳 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆-𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺.   At Löning, we help companies thoughtfully integrate these tools into their HREDD frameworks while ensuring they maintain ownership of their legal and ethical obligations.   Stay tuned for more insights on standards, certifications, and their application across #HREDD processes and sustainability legislations, including the #LkSG, #CSDDD, #CSRD, and #EUDR! https://lnkd.in/dBCrZwfu Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗜𝗙𝗔 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟰 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽? ⚽🏟️ FIFA’s decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia—despite widespread criticism regarding rule-breaking and inadequate human rights due diligence—has reignited debates about "𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨" and the responsibilities of corporate sponsors. Sponsorships linked to such events offer unparalleled visibility but also demand a careful evaluation of alignment with human rights, sustainability, and stakeholder expectations. Reports from organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have highlighted systemic issues in Saudi Arabia, including the exploitation of migrant workers, wage theft, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression. These challenges are particularly concerning in sectors such as construction and hospitality, which are essential to hosting large-scale events such as the World Cup. Businesses with direct or indirect involvement should conduct thorough due diligence, actively engage with stakeholders, and secure binding commitments to prevent labour abuses. Our blog post, “𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?”, delves into these complex dynamics. It offers practical insights for businesses navigating sponsorship decisions in an era of heightened stakeholder scrutiny. 📖 Read the blog post here: https://lnkd.in/d33MPJy4   As the world looks ahead to FIFA 2034, how can sponsors, fans, and policymakers ensure their actions reflect ethical commitments and foster accountability in sports?   #FIFA2034 #Sponsorship #CorporateResponsibility #HumanRights #Sustainability Photo credit: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆?   🎙️ In our 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘏𝘶𝘣 series on building human rights capacity, Leonel Lisboa, consultant and co-head of Löning Academy, explores why empowering companies with the right tools is essential for effective corporate human rights governance and strategic alignment.   New laws are intentionally broad to address the diverse realities of industries and contexts, but this complexity highlights the value of 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩-𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜. Specialists bring the depth of knowledge required to translate regulations into practical strategies, helping companies identify risks, seize opportunities, and design capacity-building programmes that not only drive meaningful change but also actively prevent human rights violations.   At Löning Academy, we are here to support companies and individuals striving to respect human rights across all business activities. If you're looking to enhance your capacity to navigate legal landscapes and foster responsible business practices, connect with us at academy@loening.org. 📺 Watch the full recording of the session here: https://lnkd.in/djDnMwjg   #HumanRights #CapacityBuilding #CorporateResponsibility

⚖️ 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 #Löning: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. With a unique blend of legal expertise, industry insights, and hands-on experience, our team provides strategic support to help businesses strengthen their human rights and environmental due diligence (#HREDD) and navigate evolving legal landscapes. From interpreting complex regulations to implementing effective grievance mechanisms, we partner with organisations to turn compliance into meaningful longer-term action. Ready to take your human rights governance and strategy to the next level? Reach out to us to start the conversation 🌍 Katharina Anuscheh Behrend, LL.M. (Lawyer, consultant and head of legal team): katharina@loening.org  Leonel Lisboa (Lawyer, consultant and co-head of Löning Academy): leonel@loening.org Mariana Rezende Oliveira (Consultant and expert in grievance mechanisms): mariana@loening.org   Rita Delgado Correcher (Partner in Spain, consultant and co-head of Löning Academy): rita@loening.org ⁠ #BizHumanRights #HREDD #CorporateSustainability #Legal #TeamLöning

Today is 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆—a moment to celebrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations back in 1948. It was a defining moment in history, marking a global commitment to dignity, freedom, and equality for everyone, everywhere.   The Declaration sets out 30 fundamental rights—like the right to life, liberty, education, work, and freedom of expression. These rights are 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹. They belong to 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀, 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺. They’re 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱, and 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.   But 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀—𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. They help us build stronger, more resilient societies by preventing harm, protecting people, and transforming communities. And while governments and individuals are key players in this, businesses have a critical role too.   When companies respect human rights across their operations and supply chains, they’re not just meeting global standards—they’re actively contributing to a fairer, more sustainable world. Respecting human rights isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a powerful way to create value and resilience for everyone.   So today, let’s pause to reflect. Let’s acknowledge how far we’ve come, recognise the challenges that remain, and commit to the actions we can take to drive progress forward.   Because when human rights thrive, we all thrive.   𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗹𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀—𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄.   United Nations Human Rights #UDHR #HumanRightsDay #10December #16DaysofActivism 📹: ilkin eskipehlivan

🗞️ Have you read our monthly briefing for November, featuring the editorial from our consultant and co-head of Löning Academy, Leonel Lisboa? In his editorial, Leonel discusses the growing importance of human rights and environmental due diligence (#HREDD) in corporate responsibility. Drawing insights from the #UNForumBHR, he emphasises the importance of a "smart mix of measures" – regulatory, voluntary, and market-based – as global frameworks like the EU's #CSDDD continue to shape the landscape. Leonel highlights how prioritising HREDD not only mitigates risks but also drives sustainable and responsible business practices. Read the full editorial here: https://lnkd.in/euniEMwN

Access the latest news on human rights that is relevant to your business by signing up for our monthly briefings! 📬 This month’s edition covers key highlights from the #UNForum, #EUDR, #EUFLR, #CSRD, #LkSG, and #COP29, alongside pressing topics such as children’s rights, state-imposed forced labour in ultra-fast fashion, living wages for garment workers in Bangladesh, navigating responsible business in uncertain times, challenges hindering boards’ sustainability efforts, the #RSPO’s new standard, and strategies for inclusive and impactful #CSDDD implementation—and much more. Don't miss the editorial by our consultant and co-head of the Löning Academy, Leonel Lisboa, on why the opposite of due diligence is negligence. Subscribe now on LinkedIn or via this link: https://lnkd.in/dBCrZwfu

🌍 𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿" 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡𝗚𝗣𝘀: 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀   Still buzzing from the discussions at the #UNForumBHR, where the concept of a 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 emerged as a critical addition to the UNGP framework. This pillar focuses on centring communities, ensuring they are not just consulted but empowered to shape decisions that impact them.   𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻? 🔹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲: It’s about shifting from a business-first approach to one that puts communities at the heart of governance. Frameworks like #HREDD and #CSDDD should prioritise grassroots inclusion to address power imbalances and drive solutions like benefit-sharing mechanisms. 🔹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: Alongside individual rights, empowering collective rights, as outlined in the #UNDRIP, can help shift the focus towards community agency. This approach addresses systemic issues such as governance, equity, and societal positioning. 🔹 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Civic engagement cannot fall solely on civil society. Governments and businesses must collaborate with communities to create inclusive and sustainable outcomes. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺: 🔸𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀: Frameworks like the #CSRD, #ESRS, and #CSDDD need community voices, particularly in areas like impact assessments (health, environment, and more) and law transposition, ensuring their concerns directly shape outcomes. 🔸 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗗: By proactively addressing community concerns before projects are implemented, HREDD can prevent harm and foster long-term equity and justice. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀? The Fourth Pillar bridges gaps in traditional stakeholder engagement, ensuring communities are not an afterthought but the driving force in business and human rights. It recognises the importance of collective governance, amplifies grassroots voices, and fills legislative and practical gaps during implementation.   As the Forum highlighted, this is more than an idea—it’s a call to action. Are we doing enough to truly centre communities, or is there more work to do?   #BizHumanRights #StakeholderEngagement #FourthPillar