NFU Position Paper on Sustainability and Competiveness

Executive summary

This NFU position paper reacts to the "New Competitiveness Act," which the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently presented and is scheduled for publication in late February 2025. Since this position paper is written specifically with the upcoming omnibus directive in mind. Already in advance of the publication of these proposals, NFU aims to highlight key concerns and perspectives that should be considered in shaping regulatory reforms.

This omnibus directive aims to streamline reporting and due diligence requirements across three key EU Green Deal laws: the EU Taxonomy, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). These frameworks establish classification systems, reporting obligations, and due diligence requirements that collectively contribute to environmental and social sustainability objectives.

The EU Competitiveness Compass (29 January 2025) highlighted the need for a regulatory framework that aligns with investor needs while balancing sustainability commitments. While regulatory simplification is welcome, NFU stresses that competitiveness must not come at the expense of workers’ rights, social dialogue, or corporate sustainability
obligations.