From Rules to Reality: Driving CSDDD Implementation

We are pleased to invite you to an in-person conference co-hosted by the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), BusinessEurope and MEP Axel Voss of the EPP Group in the European Parliament: “From Rules to Reality: Driving CSDDD Implementation”. This event will provide a platform for industry leaders and other stakeholders to discuss priorities for the implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) as amended by Omnibus I, with a focus on reviewing early lessons learned from CSDDD readiness efforts, and on debating industries’ and stakeholders’ priorities for the upcoming European Commission Guidelines mandated by the Directive.

The recent entry into force of Omnibus I, simplifying the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, officially launches the countdown toward application of the revised version of the game-changing rules that are expected to shape industries' due diligence efforts for years to come. Meaningful implementation of the new rules in a predictable and legally certain way that creates real impact on the ground will require action by many, including the EU, to deliver the enabling conditions for effective compliance and implementation, and ensure uniform approaches to applying and enforcing a risk-based approach to due diligence.

In this context, the European Commission plans to imminently launch a consultation to gather input on the implementation of CSDDD, including aspects of the Guidelines that will shape key aspects of the implementation and enforcement of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. This presents stakeholders with a valuable opportunity to raise priorities, questions and concerns, and in doing so to guide the implementation of the Directive.

This event will feature leading industry sustainability leaders, policymakers and stakeholders, who will:

Share industry and stakeholders' priorities for the upcoming CSDDD Guidelines: what are the parameters for successful Guidelines? What key questions need to be clarified and resolved for the outcome to result in effective rules while also providing industry with enhanced legal certainty? What opportunities exist to leverage the Guidelines toward policy coherence with other policy frameworks?
Provide practical insight into what CSDDD implementation takes for companies, including by sharing insight into early findings regarding gaps between current due diligence practices and CSDDD requirements, while also highlighting expected opportunities vs. challenges in aligning their due diligence with CSDDD standards.
Identify and prioritize the most important support measures, tools, and other factors needed to help companies to be successful in achieving CSDDD readiness, with a focus on what industry needs from policymakers in the next year.
Explore how to ensure uniform approaches to applying and enforcing the risk-based due diligence concept based on prioritization.
Discuss the latest state of play with regards to the interaction between different cross-sectoral and sectoral EU due diligence policies, and review what practical solutions and procedural opportunities exist in the short term to address eventual remaining areas of incoherence.

The event will be followed by a cocktail reception.