The Transposition of the CSDDD – navigating the uncertainty amidst the Omnibus proposal: future scenarios and what to do now?

Concept Note – Workshop for Policymakers

Date & Venue: the 28^th of May 2025, NOVA School of Law.

Background:

The concept of human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) – originally set out in international standards – has become the cornerstone to promote responsible and sustainable business conduct that upholds respect for human rights, decent work and environmental standards throughout global value chains. HREDD constitutes the means through which companies can fulfil their responsibility to respect human rights and the environment in practice. Concretely, it requires companies to put in place a process allowing them to become aware of the adverse human rights impacts that they can be involved in, and to address such impacts.

Legislative developments crystalizing HREDD expectations into legally binding obligations for companies have taken place in various countries such as France, Germany and Norway. Other countries such as Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, South Korea, and Thailand, amongst others, are also considering adopting mandatory  HREDD laws.

At the European level, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) adopted on 13^th of June 2024 marks a pivotal moment in the harmonisation of HREDD standards across the continent. It requires in-scope companies to put in place HREDD processes and is part of a broader pallet of emerging European legislation that EU Member States are also transposing and implementing on corporate sustainability. Its transposition into national law, however, remains a complex and evolving process, with uncertainties arising from the European Commission’s Omnibus Proposal released on 26th February 2025, which seeks to introduce revisions to the CSDDD. Against this backdrop, policymakers face uncertainty on how HREDD laws can be designed and implemented in an effective way at the national level, in the process of transposing the CSDDD and in line with international standards.

This workshop aims to provide a platform for policymakers to gain clarity on the latest developments, explore future regulatory scenarios, and discuss immediate actions necessary for effective transposition of the CSDDD. Through expert-led discussions and interactive sessions, participants will engage with legal scholars, practitioners, policymakers, businesses, civil society and industry representatives to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.

 

This workshop is by invitation only and under Chatham House rule.

 

Objectives

• To analyze the key elements of the CSDDD and the implications of the Omnibus Proposal.
• To explore different scenarios in relation to the transposition approaches.
• To examine the lessons learnt from the comparative experiences of the Member States who have already adopted legislative frameworks on mandatory HREDD.
• To understand how to best promote the adequate implementation of HREDD by companies in their respective countries?
• To provide actionable guidance for policymakers on immediate next steps.