The NOVA BHRE Blog

Following the hearing on 24 September in the duty of vigilance case concerning EDF’s Gunaa Sicarú wind project in Mexico, NOVA BHRE invited Céline da Graça Pires and Canelle Lavite to discuss the legal issues at stake. The Court decision is expected on 21 January 2027.

The European Commission’s proposed Public Procurement Act reflects a growing expectation of public procurement to advance human rights, decent work and environmental protection. Drawing on the Responsible Contracting Project’s four principles, this blog post explores how the proposed Act would shape the different stages of procurement, and how contracts can be used to set the terms for effective Human Rights Due Diligence.

The EU Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo), which aims to protect consumers from misleading sustainability claims and amends the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPT), enters into application on 27 September 2026. This blog explores the Directive’s key reforms, including new bans on greenwashing practices, stricter requirements for sustainability labels and environmental claims, and enhanced protections against practices that undermine product durability and repairability. It further considers the implications of these rules for businesses, particularly in relation to human rights and environmental due diligence, and highlights practical measures companies should take to prepare for compliance.

Brazil is currently considering the introduction of its first import restriction regime specifically targeting goods produced with forced or child labour. This blog post examines the Brazilian framework proposal, giving particular attention is given to the legal mechanisms that are expected to render the regime effective in practice.