German government agreed on a draft supply chain law

The German government has reached an agreement on Supply Chain Act - sources. The legislation would obliges German companies to carry out due diligence regarding human rights and environmental issues in supply chains globally.
 

According to the German civil society, It's an important step in the right direction. But the agreement has also been criticised for:

• falling short of providing victims of human rights violations improved legal protection before German courts,
• neglecting environmental risks and harms.

Read the article on the European Coalition for Corporate Justice website.

In Belgium, 60 companies and business federations have addressed a letter to the Belgian government asking for a national legal framework on human rights and environment due diligence : https://lnkd.in/dEGiEcf. A law proposal is also being written.

60 companies in Belgium asking for a legislation on corporate due diligence

On February 4, 2021, ministers Meryame Kitir, Minister for Development Cooperation, and Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Labour, accepted a letter signed by 60 Belgian companies asking for a legislation on corporate due diligence.

This letter comes at just the right time. The Socialist group in the House of Representatives is going to introduce a bill in line with the request of the 60 signatory companies. The commitment of the business community should encourage other political parties to sign the proposal. 

Read more on the Trade for Development Centre's website.