The Corporate Sustainability Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) proposes a legally binding framework for European companies to promote responsible behaviour globally.<\/p>\n
The CSDDD specifies a number of human rights, inspired by international conventions and standards set by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The list of these rights includes fundamental rights such as the right to life, but also protection against forced labour and child labour - all essential aspects of protecting human dignity and ethical respect in global supply chains:<\/p>\n
These standards reflect a number of international labour and human rights conventions, consolidated in the Annex to the Directive, which are universally recognised and adopted by most countries worldwide. Companies are therefore obliged to respect these standards at all stages of their activities, regardless of their geographical location.<\/p>\n
The Directive is not limited to human rights but also extends to the environmental impacts of corporate activities. Its principles are based on obligations under multilateral environmental conventions, such as those requiring the prevention of pollution from ships or the protection of biodiversity. These conventions are precise and provide clear standards, allowing companies to apply direct measures without the need for further action by states. The directive also covers measurable environmental degradation, such as water pollution, air pollution, over-consumption of natural resources and damaging changes to soil. These can directly affect human health, food security and quality of life by compromising ecosystems and natural services such as water purification, climate control and plant pollination.<\/p>\n
Through these provisions, the CSDDD obliges companies to take measures to prevent and minimise these negative environmental impacts, emphasising the crucial link between the protection of ecosystems and human well-being.<\/p>\n
In order to promote sustainable corporate behaviour, the Directive requires coverage of the entire chain of activities where the risks to human rights and the environment are greatest. The 'chain of activities' concept covers both the upstream and downstream activities of companies:<\/p>\n
The Directive is not limited to a particular product or service, nor does it depend on the location of the company. It requires the integration of environmental and social responsibilities into each company's risk management policies and systems, and is an essential tool for managing business risks and impacts.<\/p>\n