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Protection of human rights postponed: Brussels pushes EU supply chain law on the long bank - European civil society protests at EU Commission

The Supply Chain Act for Germany has been adopted since June 2021 and finally holds German companies accountable. Now, an EU supply chain law is the next step in protecting human rights and the environment in supply chains. However, there have been delays here for months.

"It is very worrying that the business lobby in Brussels seems to be trying to gain time to prevent or postpone an EU supply chain law. Now the traffic light coalition must show that it is serious about what it promised in the coalition agreement. A strong EU supply chain law would also improve the protection of women's rights in the garment supply chain," said Gisela Burckhardt, FEMNET CEO. FEMNET therefore supports the open letter of the European Supply Chain Initiative to the European Commission.

Below is the press statement of the Supply Chain Act initiative of 08.12.2021

Berlin, 08/12/2021. The European Commission has postponed its intention to oblige companies to increase the protection of human rights and environmental standards in their supply chains without giving reasons. The draft EU Supply Chain Act, originally planned for June 2021, is thus being postponed for the third time. In an open letter published today, the Supply Chain Act initiative and numerous other civil society organisations from all over Europe call on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to stand behind the EU Supply Chain Act and make the process more transparent.

“Developments in Brussels are worrying: Without a law, European companies do far too little for the environment and human rights. With a strong European supply chain law, the EU, as the second largest economy in the world, could set a global signal that benefits people worldwide. Ursula von der Leyen should stand up for this.’, commented Johanna Kusch, spokesperson for the Supply Chain Act Initiative.

“The new federal government is committed to an effective EU supply chain law in its coalition agreement – and that is a good thing. Chancellor Olaf Scholz can now directly show how serious he is about this: We expect him to make it clear to the European Commission: Human rights and environmental protection cannot be delayed.”Maren Leifker, Business and Human Rights Officer for Bread for the World.

“German business associations wanted to prevent the German Supply Chain Act – arguing that a European solution was needed. Now European business associations are lobbying against the EU Supply Chain Act. This shows: The industry does not seem to be keen to ensure effective protection of human rights in its supply chains.”, criticises Johannes Schorling of INKOTA.

"Not only the European Parliament wants a strong EU supply chain law, but also 80 percent of the European population are in favour, as a recent survey shows. The Traffic Lights Coalition has announced its commitment to strengthening the European Parliament and working transparently in the European Council. This must now be followed by action’.Heike Drillisch from the CorA network.

In the open letter to Commission President von der Leyen published today, the signatory organisations are deeply concerned about the EU Commission's actions. It postponed the draft in a non-transparent process without giving reasons and without a clear further timetable. It was only learned from the media. The letter was signed by 47 organisations and networks, including Amnesty International and the European Trade Union Confederation.

In the Netherlands, Foreign Trade Minister Tom de Bruijn has already drawn conclusions from the renewed postponement of the EU Supply Chain Act. In order not to waste any more time, he now wants to draw up his own Dutch supply chain law.

In Germany, the SPD, the Greens and the FDP have emphasised in the coalition agreement their support for an effective EU supply chain law based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These show that companies’ due diligence obligations cover the entire supply chain, from raw material extraction to disposal. In addition, the UN Guiding Principles underline the right of those affected to redress if they have suffered human rights violations.

The Supply Chain Act initiative is an association of more than 125 civil society organisations, including Brot für die Welt, INKOTA and the CorA network, as well as numerous other human rights, development and environmental organisations, trade unions and church actors. Together, they are committed to a European supply chain law.

Further information:


Contact:

  • Supply Chain Act initiative: Johannes Heeg, Spokesperson, Tel.: 0151-10611346, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Bread for the World: Renate Vacker, Press Spokesperson, Tel.: 030-652111833, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • INKOTA network: Johannes Schorling, speaker for fair and sustainable business practices, Tel.: 030-4208202-57, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • CorA Corporate Responsibility Network: Heike Drillisch, Coordinator, Tel.: 0177-3452611, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

The Supply Chain Act initiative is supported by:
Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB), European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), Forum Fairer Handel e.V., Germanwatch e.V., Greenpeace e.V., INKOTA-netzwerk e.V., Bischöfliches Hilfswerk MI-SEREOR e.V., Oxfam Deutschland e.V., SÜDWIND e.V., ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft, WEED - Weltwirtschaft, Ökologie & Entwicklung e.V., Weltladen-Dachverband e.V., Werkstattwirtschaft e.V.

A further 110 organisations support the Supply Chain Act initiative.