The European Worker Participation Competence Centre (EWPCC) and the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) in cooperation with the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) organized a webinar on 13 January 2021 on the subject of "Human rights due diligence (HRDD) and responsible business conduct in the EU".
Human rights due diligence (HRDD) and responsible business conduct have come to the forefront of the EU legislative agenda. Policymakers and the public at large are becoming increasingly aware that the current voluntary approach of business to human rights and responsible business conduct is not sufficient to guarantee a high level of respect for basic rights in supply chains and other areas impacted by business behaviour. A number of initiatives have been undertaken at the national level mandating due diligence in large companies and the European Parliament and EU Council have called for a legislative proposal in this area. The European Commission commissioned two major studies relating to this topic and started a public consultation, and is expected to issue a proposal in the first half of 2021.
This webinar discussed the need for a mandatory approach to HRDD and responsible business conduct in the EU. The first session discussed what HRDD is and what the ETUC’s demands are in this area. The second session focused on the crucial issue of how to define company liability in this legislation. The following materials from the webinar are available for download:
Session 1:
Presentation by Stefan Clauwaert (ETUC) on ETUC demands
Stefan Clauwaert - ETUC demands
Session 2:
Comments from Tony Berggren (The Swedish union of forestry, wood and graphical workers)
ETUI Policy Brief by Christophe Clerc – The French ‘duty of vigilance’ law
Christophe Clerc - The French Duty of Vigilance Law
Comments from Paige Morrow
Paige Morrow - EU law on human rights due diligence
Comments from Aristea Koukiadaki
Aristea Koukiadaki - human rights due diligence
Some Key Resources on Human Rights Due Diligence
EP resolution on corporate liability for serious human rights abuses in third countries: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52016IP0405
EP resolution on EU flagship initiative on the garment sector: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52017IP0196
EP resolution on sustainable finance: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52018IP0215
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
United Nations 2008 "Protect, Respect and Remedy" Framework for Business and Human Rights: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/625292?ln=en
United Nations 2011 Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs): https://www.ohchr.org/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en.pdf
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises: http://mneguidelines.oecd.org/guidelines
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct: https://www.oecd.org/investment/due-diligence-guidance-for-responsible-business-conduct.htm
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector: http://www.oecd.org/industry/inv/mne/responsible-supply-chains-textile-garment-sector.htm
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals for Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: https://www.oecd.org/corporate/oecd-due-diligence-guidance-for-responsible-supply-chains-of-minerals-from-conflict-affected-and-high-risk-areas-9789264252479-en.htm
OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains: https://www.oecd.org/daf/inv/investment-policy/rbc-agriculture-supply-chains.htm
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible business conduct for institutional investors: https://www.oecd.org/investment/due-diligence-guidance-for-responsible-business-conduct.htm
ILO 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its follow-up: https://www.ilo.org/declaration/thedeclaration/textdeclaration/lang--en/index.htm
ILO 2017 Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---emp_ent/---multi/documents/publication/wcms_094386.pdf
UN booklet “Gender Dimensions of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Business/Gender_Booklet_Final.pdf
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