Earlier this month, the EU Council approved a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence directive (CS3D).
Originally proposed in February 2022 by the European Commission , the directive will apply to companies with over 1000 employees and companies with a turnover threshold of 450 million euros. The directive will directly impact forced labour, modern slavery, and supply chain. It will impose obligations on companies to address negative impacts caused by their commercial activities both in relation to environment and human rights impact.
The directive has received several revisions since its initial proposal. Key amendments were made following a failed vote in February 2024, due to the “qualifying majority” of 15 Member States (representing 65% of the EU population) not being met. The Council voted the directive through on 15th March 2024 after a compromise text was put forward by the Council’s president.
Southwell & Partners specialise in modern slavery and human rights law. Advising companies on their obligations on mitigating and preventing slavery and child labour.
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