A call for legislation on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.
According to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (GuidingPrinciplesBusinessHR_EN.pdf (ohchr.org)), companies have a responsibility to respect human rights and to ensure these are respected also across their value chains. Some companies have already taken action to implement the principles, but voluntary commitments alone are not enough. Mandatory human rights due diligence must be adequately implemented by all companies and businesses.
Legislation on human rights and environmental due diligence would effectively contribute to creating both a consistent regulatory framework as well as fair competition, “to level the playing field” as defined in the UN document. It would ensure that all economic players adhere to the same standards and that there are adequate consequences for companies that make profits to the detriment of people and nature. Employees, customers, investors, and the general public expect businesses to take on this responsibility.
We advocate the introduction of a Luxembourg law establishing mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for companies, which will pave the way for more ambitious regulation at European level.
