NFU Press Release: Nordics shall say YES to CSDDD

Nordic countries side with Germany and leave the survival of the first European sustainability law to the Italian government. 

Today, 9 February 2024, the Corporate Due Diligence Directive’s negotiated final text is being voted on in the Council, with the outcome far from certain. Contrary to customary procedure, parts of the German government had decided to reopen the negotiated deal that the European Parliament had already confirmed after negotiations with Member States had come to a close in December 2023. 

Carin Hallerström, NFU’s General Secretary, is very concerned, particularly in view of two Nordic countries (Finland and Sweden) decision to reverse their initial approval:

This is a fundamental setback of cooperation and trust within the EU. We have been arguing for an EU-wide corporate due diligence law, which includes financial operations, for years. This directive, with a very limited scope of application, would have been only a first step to send a signal to stop exploiting the planet and people!

Carin Hallerström calls on Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch and Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman: Nordic companies are at the forefront of corporate responsibility for human rights and the environment. Backing out of the EU’s commitment in the CSDDD is incomprehensible and irresponsible. Vote YES today!