As we transition into an era of human rights due diligence mandated by regulation, many in the business and human rights community are nervously asking the same question. Will a company’s steps to identify and address actual...more
11/14/2023
/ Corruption ,
Due Diligence ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
European Parliament ,
Forced Labor ,
Governance Standards ,
Human Rights ,
Supply Chain ,
Undue Influence Claims ,
United Nations
Three years ago, as part of the EU’s initiative on sustainable governance, the European Commission released a lengthy study on directors’ duties. The study affirmed what many already understood: corporate decision makers face...more
8/21/2023
/ Climate Change ,
Corporate Governance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Due Diligence ,
Duty of Care ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Green Deal ,
Human Rights ,
Modern Slavery Act ,
OECD ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Shareholders ,
Sustainability ,
Transparency
While it might seem counterintuitive, as business and human rights continues a sprint toward a mandatory paradigm, voluntary multi-stakeholder initiatives (“MSIs”) are perhaps more important than ever before. MSIs provide...more
A European legislative initiative aimed at requiring companies to undertake human rights and environmental due diligence is gradually but steadily making its way through the EU institutions.
Previously, on March 10, 2021, the...more
In 2011, following the adoption of the United Nations Guiding Principles, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (the “Guidelines”)—the only existing intergovernmental guidance to businesses—introduced a new...more
The European Union’s Draft Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD”) continues to generate ample attention and feedback. At its core, the proposed directive seeks to apply the due diligence formula of the UN...more
In 2011, following the adoption of the United Nations Guiding Principles, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (the “Guidelines”)—the only existing intergovernmental guidance to businesses—introduced a new...more
The Norwegian Transparency Act, a broad law mandating that covered companies conduct human rights-related due diligence for their operations and supply chains, went into effect in July 2022. The ambitious law is part of a...more
The explosion of global business and human rights continued to resonate across the globe in 2022. Some of the business and human rights trends have been evident and growing for several years; others are relatively new. Many...more
12/29/2022
/ Anti-Money Laundering ,
Anti-SLAPP ,
Biometric Information ,
Corporate Governance ,
DNA ,
Due Diligence ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Forced Labor ,
Free Trade Agreements ,
General Assembly ,
Greenwashing ,
Human Rights ,
Popular ,
Supply Chain ,
Sustainability ,
Transparency ,
UNESCO ,
United Nations
As the European Union (“EU”) continues to debate whether downstream responsibilities will fall within the contours of its hefty Corporate Sustainability Mandatory Due Diligence Directive (“CSMDD”), and the EU Council just...more
12/5/2022
/ Anti-Money Laundering ,
Corporate Governance ,
Due Diligence ,
EU ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Forced Labor ,
Human Rights ,
Human Trafficking ,
Modern Slavery Act ,
OECD ,
RICO ,
Supply Chain ,
Sustainability ,
UK ,
United Nations
With great anticipation, on September 14 the European Union proposed a new regulation broadly prohibiting the import, export and sale of goods made wholly or in part with forced labor (“Proposed Regulation”)....more