Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, holds a press conference on the first EU Due diligence rules for companies. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

press conference

WOLTERS, Lara (S&D, NL)

Press conference by Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, on the first EU Due diligence rules for companies

SOUNDBITE (English), Lara WOLTERS (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur, I'll start in Dutch for those who need to wear headphones and then I'll go on in English. And that might be easier for this room.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, So I am very happy because we've just had our vote today in plenary and we have won the vote. So that's good. So more than four years ago I started on this project and we've managed to finish it before the elections in June so I'm very proud. I think it shows it is possible to do that it is possible to achieve something in terms of laws, and it is a massive step. It really is.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, Yes, of course, I did have doubts over the years as to whether it would be successful, but it has been a successful. We have this new law and standard. So it's a radical change. I am so proud that it has been successful here at the European Parliament. I'll switch to English now.

SOUNDBITE (English), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, What I just said can can be summarised, I think in one sentence, which is you see a happy Member of the European Parliament in front of you. I'm also delighted to announce that this will be the last press conference on the CSDD, the last press conference on due diligence, because to my knowledge no more will be needed. But it's been quite a journey because apart from the work, I think we've had four press conferences through this rollercoaster of a file.

SOUNDBITE (English), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, And I am delighted, of course, that due diligence passed a few hours ago with a solid majority. I don't think I need to recount all the twists and turns to this audience. I think many of those here have been able to follow that. This is not the first time that I'm in this room explaining to you what went on over the past four years. And maybe it's a cliche, but this really is a landmark today. I am so proud that the EU can stand tall in the world and say that we are doing our bit to make sure there's no more products on the markets that come at the cost of human lives and environmental destruction. We are leading on this. We're the first bloc to do this, but I certainly hope we won't be the last to put this in place.

SOUNDBITE (English), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, As you very well know, it's not been an easy road to get here. And some steps along the way have, of course, left a bitter taste in my mouth. I think I've told you all about that. But there wouldn't be such a fights to get here if this law wasn't going to make a difference. There was a reason that we saw all those twists and turns, and in the end, the impact is what matters and the result is what matters. And the result of today in something that I'm very, very pleased with. Thank you.

paragraph-7 you very much, Rapporteur. We will now now take the questions from the room. Who would like to ask a question? Yes, please.

Q&A, Question regarding on the law's impact on the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

SOUNDBITE (English), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, -

Q&A, Question regarding on the law's impact on accountants and consultants working for companies.

Q&A, Question regarding on loopholes in the law.

Q&A, Question regarding on whether the rapporteur expects the Council to agree on the Parliament's text.

Q&A, Questions regarding on changing the text after agreement, including the financial sector under the scope of the directive and interinstitutional negotiations.

Q&A, Question regarding on what kind of abuses the law will end in European supply chains.

paragraph-20 Question regarding on providing justice for the victims who are non-European citizens.

Q&A, Question regarding on which authorities are responsible for the directive.

Q&A, Question regarding on the role of the Member States.

Q&A, Question regarding on the financial penalties for companies.

Q&A, Questions regarding on the implementation of the directive.

Q&A, Question regarding on how many companies will fall under the scope of the directive. -