Downstream due diligence
Due diligence obligations for downstream value chains: A must-have for the European Supply Chain Act. The debate on due diligence in downstream value chains is more topical than ever: At the EU level, the design of a European supply chain law is currently being discussed. Both the Council and some parliamentary groups want to make due diligence obligations mandatory only for individual areas of companies' value chains. Among other things, the downstream value chain would then be (largely) exempted from due diligence obligations. Together with the Supply Chain Law Initiative, SOMO, Swedwatch and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, we show in this short position paper why due diligence in downstream value chains is necessary and how it can be implemented. We also make key recommendations fort he EU supply chain law.