Supporting effective implementation of European legislation
The BOOST HRDD program supports the effective implementation of European Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) legislation, focusing on the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
Covering seven key production countries in Asia and Africa, the BOOST HRDD program strengthens local stakeholder's capacities. It gathers on-the-ground insights and connects those to companies and regulators. Furthermore, it fosters collaborative policymaking that ensures HRDD benefits all actors in global supply chains.
Learn more in this video:
Opportunities
- Empowerment of key stakeholders in production countries
Meaningful stakeholder engagement will empower workers and help address key issues, strengthen capacity, and inform risk mitigation.
- Good business case: collaboration and strong standards can enhance reputation, partnerships, and market access, making responsible practices a competitive advantage.
- More transparency: clear reporting allows stakeholders to hold companies accountable and negotiate better conditions, while suppliers can demonstrate compliance, attract buyers, and secure long-term contracts.
Risks
- Chaotic implementation: without timely technical guidelines, everyone will have their own interpretation. This could create a confusing mix of rules, making it impossible to implement legislation properly.
- Conflicting influence of national context – loss of business.
- Adverse impact on human rights and freedom of association: national governments and authorities may repress organizations or rights holders that report on risks.
- Increase in power imbalance: companies are likely to have their own interpretation of legislation, which will translate into one-sided contractual clauses that put the burden on suppliers, or overburden local stakeholders.
Key recommendations
- Provide cognizance: all stakeholders must be made aware of - and equipped - to conduct effective HRDD. All stakeholders need to be included in the process and take an active role in implementation.
- Provide clarity: a majority of key stakeholders across the supply chain requested the creation of local service points in production countries. Local contact is important in order to establish trust, transparency, accessibility and visibility.
- Provide certainty: sector wide agreements and standardization will massively simplify the implementation of CSDDD.
BOOST HRDD
Bottom-up Outreach to Stakeholders in HRDD legislation.
Recommendations from key stakeholders in production countries on CSDDD implementation.
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Contact
Implementing effective Human Right Due Diligenc requires collective action.
Whether you're an investor, business leader, policymaker, or trade union leader, our joint engament is crucial.
For businesses: Contact us how to implement HRDD in practice.
For policymakers: Collaborate with us to ensure the effective implementation of HRDD legislation.
For trade unions: Join our efforts to raise awareness and drive change.
Wouter van Dis, Strategic Policy Advisor
w.vandis@cnv.nl
tel. +31 6 41636880
