The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, commonly referred to as CSDDD or CS3D, is Europe’s ambitious initiative aimed at instilling sustainable practices within the corporate world. Designed to monitor and ensure that corporations are accountable for their human rights and environmental impacts, the directive is making waves and is projected to be adopted by the end of 2023.
Greenomy, an ESG and sustainability reporting software developer, recently offered guiddance of CSDDD and what firms need to know.
The global emphasis on sustainability reporting is increasingly putting businesses under scrutiny. Recognising this trend, the European Commission has introduced the CSDDD, striving to augment the existing EU Sustainable Finance Framework. This move is aimed at enhancing sustainable corporate behaviour across international value chains.
The crux of the CSDDD is to champion ethical corporate behaviour by mandating due diligence on companies’ actions and those of their suppliers. It seeks to identify, prevent, or mitigate any adverse impacts on human rights and the environment. The CSDDD intends to provide an exhaustive list of rules pertaining to potential and actual adverse effects tied to companies’ operations, their subsidiaries, and their business affiliates.
Tracing back the genesis of the CSDDD, it emerged from the European Commission’s vision for sustainable corporate governance. Introduced to the European Parliament and the European Council in February 2022, the directive reached a political consensus in December 2022. As of June 1, 2023, the proposal has been ratified by the majority in the European Parliament. However, the precise directives might undergo changes as discussions about the scope and enforcement continue. If all proceeds as planned, the CSDDD could be in force by 2024, with a potential applicability from 2026.
The directive’s influence will be profound, potentially impacting 12,800 EU companies and an additional 4,000 non-EU companies. It divides affected entities into four categories based on size, economic strength, and sector.
Significantly, the CSDDD recognises high-impact sectors such as textiles, agriculture, mineral extraction, and metal manufacturing. These industries, given their operational nature, are closely monitored for their human rights and environmental implications.
The CSDDD is a comprehensive legislation focusing on human rights and environmental obligations. It not only concentrates on the company’s direct actions but also the activities of their subsidiaries and partners. Enforcement is stern with designations for authorised representatives and supervisory authorities. Additionally, civil liability provisions ensure that companies are held accountable for any oversights or negligence.
The CSDDD seamlessly dovetails with other EU legislations. For instance, it complements the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) by focusing on due diligence while the CSRD emphasises disclosure requirements. Moreover, the CSDDD reinforces the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and the EU Taxonomy, offering a holistic framework for sustainability and corporate responsibility.
In this rapidly changing regulatory landscape, companies must be proactive. Greenomy offers a solution, assisting businesses in aligning with the evolving sustainability standards in the EU. The Greenomy CSRD Accelerator Programme is particularly beneficial for larger firms, ensuring they are compliant and future-ready.
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