During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 March 2021), MEPs debate call on the Commission to urgently present a law that ensures companies are held accountable and liable when they harm human rights, the environment and good governance; extracts from the debate (08/03) with Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Pascal DURAND (Renew, FR), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA (ECR, ES), Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR) and the final vote (10/03).

Brussels

corporate social responsibility (T)

statement

debate

plenary session

respect for human rights in the world (T)

environmental protection (T)

HAUTALA, Heidi (Greens/EFA, FI)

VOSS, Axel (EPP, DE)

DURAND, Pascal (S&D, FR)

corporate governance (T)

REYNDERS, Didier (BE, EC)

AUBRY, Manon (The Left, FR)

BUXADÉ VILLALBA, Jorge (ECR, ES)

WOLTERS, Lara (S&D, NL)

Corporate due diligence and corporate accountability:extracts from the debate (08/03) and the final vote (10/03)

Title: Corporate due diligence and corporate accountability:extracts from the debate (08/03) and the final vote (10/03)

SOUNDBITE (English), Lara WOLTERS (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur, Over the past few months we have been working on an ambitious law that would apply to anyone wanting to sell their goods or services on the internal market, including non-EU companies. That law requires of companies their best efforts to identify and address adverse impacts on human rights, the environment and governance, and this in their entire value chain inside and outside the union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Lara WOLTERS (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur, For consumers we are ensuring fair products for workers, we are enhancing protection for victims, we are improving access to justice and for the environment we are taking a step that is very long overdue.

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, The private and public sector should both contribute to achieve this common goal. In addition, it is important that we respect our values both within and outside the union we want to incentivise outside of Europe good practises that protect the environment in line with our international commitments and our efforts on climate change and environmental protection. Similarly, EU companies should make all reasonable efforts to make sure that practises against human rights, labour and social rights that are not tolerated within the union do not take place in their supply chain.

SOUNDBITE (German), Axel VOSS (EPP, DE), We need a risk based approach. I believe some large companies in the supply chain may have several thousand initial suppliers. And so it's important that this be risk-based that we look at the sector and the companies location and set priorities, look at civil liability that would only apply where we see direct damage and we can ensure liability and accountability.

SOUNDBITE (French), Pascal DURAND (Renew, FR), It's a message of hope for hundreds of millions of people working throughout the world who do not have access to the most fundamental rights. But they are giving us the benefit of the fruits of their labour and the cry of despair to be respected and finally to be able to get their fair share. And this hope message concerns also our planet. We don't want our planet to be destroyed and overexploated without respecting the international rules and the capacity of the different regenarating processes. We want to not just maximise profits of a handful of international companies who cynically look down on these rights. They couldn't care less and we have to force them to respect them.

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), States have an obligation to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Business enterprises are required to respect human rights. The companies must acquire the necessary capacity to do their due diligence in the manner which is reasonable to expect from them by consulting key stakeholders in their business environment. Companies become aware of the most important human rights and environment risks in their entire value chain.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Jorge BUXAD&#201; VILLALBA (ECR, ES), Human rights violations need police, judges and prisons, but not by creating more burdens for and more responsibilities and more penalties for businesses. The only consequence of this is that European businesses and European workers will be less less competitive and poorer. We want to fight globalised and multinationals. That's fine. But let's leave our SMEs to one side.

SOUNDBITE (French), Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), With this legislation we want to put an end to this organised crime which exploits people and the environment. We will stop multinationals allowing their subsidiaries to do whatever they want. With this market surveillance and due diligence, courts will listen to victims who are asking for reparation. Now, this is just one step to take back control against these global multinationals who think they are above the law. But it is a good victory in the area of the environment and human rights.

Announcement of the results of the vote: adopted with 504 in favour, 79 against and 112 abstentions.