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It’s official - with 555 votes in favor, 6 against, and 45 abstentions. The new EU Forced Labor ban will be enforced on goods made outside the EU by forced labour and on products manufactured in the EU with parts made abroad by forced labour. https://lnkd.in/e3jMj26n. See our last comparison article https://lnkd.in/e6amgKRt if you are importing goods into the United States (U.S.) and the European Union (EU). Follow The Traceability Times https://lnkd.in/eW4mRaRE for regular policy maker updates on the regulatory lens of due diligence and traceability for imports. Connect with HAP for support in establishing best practice in your due diligence or traceability system or to be a cited contributor to our upcoming series on the use of Social Audits in regulatory due diligence. Please reach out to us at: https://lnkd.in/gbU5hzAY or 1️⃣💬DM or 2️⃣ contact one of our team members here: 👋 https://lnkd.in/dfZwPma6 ✅ Support greater Independence in Environmental & Human Rights Due Diligence Measurement Systems: https://lnkd.in/ehvfDhEc #esg #esgreporting #sustainability #sustainabilityreport #responsiblebusiness #ethics #climatecrisis #climate #bizhumanrights #forcedlabour #modernslavery #ethicalsourcing #SustainableBusiness #EthicalAuditing #OECDGuidance #oecd #supplychain #responsbilebusines #climate #climateaction #hrdd #csddd #cs3dy

Every week Food Network for Ethical Trade produces a round up of global food human rights issues, plus new tools and thinking, podcasts and webinar they might enjoy to inform our members #humanrights #duediligence We also produce a quarterly summary to help members understand the issues that are trending which can be shared more broadly accross their businesses Sound interesting want to know more? Please get in touch fnetadmin@foodnetworkforethicaltrade.com

No agreement has yet been reached at European level on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which is why a significantly watered-down proposal has been on the table from the Belgian presidency since last week: ✏ Scope of application: Companies with 1,000 employees and 300 million euros or more in annual turnover and no lower limits for risk sectors ✏  Supply chain: Downstream activities (e.g. dismantling, disposal, recycling) and indirect business relationships are to be cancelled, refocusing on direct relationships ✏ Climate: No obligation to promote the implementation of climate transition plans through financial incentives for top management ✏ Liability: allowing flexibility on final legal adoption This compromise has already been on the agenda last Friday but final vote of EU member states has been postponed to upcoming Wednesday, 13th March. As the Parliament and the Council already reached a provisional agreement on new rules that ban products made with forced labour from EU market it would be really incomprehensible if no conclusion can be arranged in regard of CSDDD. Reach out to COSH! article "Clothed in Slavery": https://lnkd.in/ebT5YKaA COSH! Conscious Shopping Made Easy has already signed the „SOS CSDDD“ statement initiated by Fairtrade Belgium to support the implementation of CSDDD and is waiting eagerly for the update. Although the requirements has been changed and Germany is still going on to refuse it we hope that it´ll come into place anyway! If you´re able to support any intiative for the CSDDD – pls do! #duediligence #CSDDD #sustainability #EUregulations #sustainablebusiness #humanrights #supplychain #transparency #forcedlabour #modernslavery #fairtradebelgium

A giant leap was taken this week in the European Parliament with the adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (#CS3D) and the EU Forced Labour Product Ban Regulation. It's great to witness Europe taking the lead in enhancing the sustainability and ethics of our supply chains. However, the CS3D saw some last-minute dilution, now applying only to companies with over 1000 employees and 450 million euros in revenue. It's estimated that around 5300 companies across the EU will have to comply once the EU Council COREPER gives final approval. Despite the dilution, the directive is likely more stringent than the equivalent German law for those companies within its scope, and it importantly brings about harmonization across the EU. The EU Forced Labour initiative now equips Member States with the means to investigate suspicions of forced labour within product value chains. Looking ahead, it's crucial that these initiatives don't merely become bureaucratic exercises, but that companies implement meaningful procedures to effect real change in global supply chains. Collaboration and responsible disengagement are encouraged, where technology platforms and AI can play a vital role in streamlining compliance, fostering collaboration, and enhancing government efficiency in resource allocation. Detecting forced labour or other violations of environmental and human rights principles often necessitates probing beyond the first tier of supply chain networks. Kudos and gratitude to all involved at the European Parliament and European Commission! Heidi Hautala Lara Wolters Axel Voss Greta Koch ANNA ATHANASOPOULOU Samira Rafaela Raphaël GLUCKSMANN Lucrezia Busa Michael Ristaniemi István Németh Nils Behrndt Richard Sonnenschein Martin Karim Miranda Mbonji Manyo Stijn Kuipers Escipion Joaquin Oliveira Gomez Didier Reynders Noterdaeme Jan Isabelle Schömann Gert van der Bijl Richard Gardiner Filippo Spiezia Madelaine Tuininga Maria Gorsuch-Kennedy Fanny Gauttier Mathieu Vervynckt Raphaëlle Hennekinne https://lnkd.in/eASkG9s2

🚨 New EU Ban on Products Made with Forced Labour 🚨 On November 19, 2024, the European Council took a significant step forward in the fight against human rights abuses and modern-day slavery by adopting a comprehensive ban on products made with forced labour. This new law will prohibit the sale and importation of goods into the European Union that are linked to forced or compulsory labour. 🔑 Key Highlights • Scope: The ban covers a wide range of products, from raw materials to manufactured goods, ensuring that products made under unethical conditions do not enter the EU market. • Global Impact: This measure will affect businesses worldwide, urging them to ensure their supply chains are free from forced labour. • Accountability: Companies will be required to prove that their products are not linked to forced labour, with increased scrutiny of sourcing and production methods. 🌍 Why This Matters This move aligns with the EU’s broader commitment to human rights, sustainability, and ethical trade practices. It reinforces the growing importance of transparency in global supply chains, marking a crucial step toward a fairer and more ethical global economy. Key Takeaways: The law signals that human dignity cannot be compromised for profit. 📊 What Businesses Need to Do From an operational perspective, companies will need to: • Audit their supply chains rigorously to ensure no forced labour is involved. • Implement stronger due diligence processes for sourcing and production. • Invest in monitoring and reporting mechanisms to remain compliant and avoid penalties. The cost of non-compliance could be significant, both financially and reputationally, so preparation is essential to maintain market access in the EU. #ForcedLabour #HumanRights #Sustainability #EURegulations #CorporateResponsibility #EthicalTrade #SupplyChainTransparency

🌍 Reflecting on Global Value Chains and Governance: Some insights from the Katalyst Initiative conference in #Amsterdam: As we navigate the evolving landscape of global value chains, key regulatory frameworks like the #CSDDD, #EUDR, and the US Forced Labour Ban are reshaping our approach to governance, human rights and environmental due diligence. Klaas Hendrick Eller gave a fantastic overview of how the #regulatorylandscape of global value chains is undergoing significant change. What I really took away from his presentation was his approach to the levels at which change occurs and legislation seeks to intervene. Including the #boardroom (how decisions are made at board level), #researchanddevelopment (improvements in product design), the #supermarket (consumer decisions driving trends), #financialmarkets (influencing money flows), the #border (how trade is managed between borders) and how change can be achieved at the #production site. 💡 Particularly striking were discussions on success factors for the #nextgeneration of value chain governance: Sandra Plaski emphasized the innovative approach of the #USMCA agreement, linking labour rights directly to trade. This model holds individual companies accountable, allowing workers to seek recourse if violations occur. The #RapidResponseMechanism empowers workers and unions, enabling them to hold brands accountable. Wiranta Ginting from the Asia Floor Wage Alliance highlighted the garment sector’s unique challenges, advocating for legal accountability across the value chain. Collective bargaining and transparent supply chains are essential for empowering workers and promoting fair conditions. And, as he eloquently pointed out, #brands in the garment sector are co-#employers with suppliers and should be responsible for their value chain. Liliane Ploumen, former Minister for Foreign Trade and Development of the Netherlands, discussed funding mechanisms like the #severance guarantee fund, designed to protect workers from the impacts of crises. Her insights highlighted the importance of ensuring resilience in the face of global challenges and listening to the core needs of workers in the garment supply chain. Saroush Kuruvilla from the Cornell University ILR School Global Labor Institute raised critical points on #data collection, stressing that companies must prioritise understanding their impact on human rights and the environment. His proposed matrix serves as a tool for both regulators and firms to assess and enhance compliance, that stresses an outcome-based approach. Finally, Robert Masua Bwana from the University of Amsterdam Business School cautioned against over-relying on #technology, advocating for a balanced approach that combines various tools and methods. He highlighted the importance of transparency and the potential risks of "tech-washing" in governance. 👏 It was great to foster closer collaboration between academic and civil society perspectives. We should do that more often!

On 26 January 2024 the European Commission adopted its position (negotiating mandate) on the regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour on the EU market. The legislation prohibits products made using forced labour to be placed and made available on the EU market. To achieve this, a structured framework was established to empower the EU to prohibit and remove a product from the single market if it is shown to involve forced labour, regardless of whether it is produced within the EU or imported into the EU.    Topics covered in the EU Textile Strategy 2030 and Its Business Impact Masterclass Part I: Forced Labour includes:   - EU's Comprehensive Approach to Combatting Forced Labour   - Legislation Scope and Activation Timeline   - Understanding the Legislation’s Mechanisms      Join our special guest from the European Commission:   Mr Lennart Grundberg   Policy Officer, Unit D3 for Market Surveillance (DG GROW)   Watch Now: https://lnkd.in/gQUikVWv     Find Out More: https://lnkd.in/gWqFDEJD   This Masterclass is exclusive to ITMAconnect subscribers only.     Do not have an #ITMAconnect account? Register for an account at €25 (excluding VAT). To subscribe for ITMAconnect, visit https://lnkd.in/efYDCNMP.    #ITMA2027 #EUTextileStrategy2030 #EuropeanGreenDeal #Sustainability #TextileIndustry #CircularEconomy 

🚀HRDD News: the landmark Forced Labour Regulation was approved by most member states at #COREPER, for which the #EuropeanParliament's final adoption vote will come in April🚀 Though important elements (including remediation) were removed, this regulation represents an important feat by targeting products made with forced labor worldwide from entering the EU market. It specifically outlines: 📌Strengthened Due Diligence: Companies operating in the EU will be required to conduct thorough due diligence on their supply chains to identify and mitigate risks of forced labor. 📌 Disposal, Donation, and Recycling Guidance: Companies are encouraged to prioritize donation or recycling whenever possible, rather than disposal, to minimize waste and prevent potential exploitation of labor in waste management processes. Strict guidelines are set to ensure that any donated or recycled goods are handled ethically and do not inadvertently contribute to forced labor downstream. 📌Enforcement Mechanisms and Sanctions: Strict penalties will be imposed on businesses found in violation of the regulation. These sanctions may include hefty fines and potential bans from operating within the EU market. In cases of state-imposed forced labor, the EU will impose a case-by-case approach including a high-risk list to incentivize compliance and trade restrictions. Belgian Presidency of the Council of European Union #forcedlabour #humanrights #supplychaintransparency #eu

Interesting development concerning Uyghur labor in global supply chains: https://lnkd.in/gRD29f7A #CALawyers #esg #sustainability #humanrights #responsiblebusiness #esglaw #impactinvestment #socialentrepreneurship #corpgov #justtransition #socialimpact #SocialEntrepreneurship #Impact #Bcorp

RightsDD welcome yesterday's passage of the Ban on Goods Made by Forced Labour and today's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (#CSDDD) directive by the EU. The CSDDD will make human rights due diligence mandatory for many companies operating in the EU. The forced labour ban prohibits the import, export sale of goods made by victims of forced labour and creates mechanisms for the investigation, impounding and destruction of suspect goods. It also mandates fines for non-compliant companies. We note that the CSDDD still has to be formally approved by the Council of the EU but that the approval is very likely to occur.