Brussels Betrays Corporate Accountability — A Dangerous Retreat

On November 13, a majority in the European Parliament struck a deal that critics say undermines years of progress toward holding corporations accountable for human rights and environmental abuses. In negotiations over the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), members of the European People’s Party (EPP) aligned with far-right groups — siding with powerful corporate lobbies rather than defending meaningful protections.

What Was Lost

The amendments adopted in this negotiation significantly weaken the core of the CSDDD:

• Climate transition plans — once a central requirement — have been removed entirely.
• National governments would be barred from exceeding the directive, preventing countries from adopting stronger protections.
• Civil liability mechanisms may be eliminated, making it harder for victims to hold companies accountable in court.
• Even when suppliers commit serious abuses, companies would only be optionally required to disengage if doing so harms their profits.
• Access to justice for victims could become more restricted under the revised framework.

These rollbacks are being framed as essential to protect “competitiveness.” But research contradicts this narrative: companies with strong human rights protections tend to perform better and show more resilience over time.

The Role of Lobbying and Politics

The influence of corporate lobbies — including those representing fossil fuel interests — is hard to overlook. Many of the weakened provisions closely mirror proposals from industry groups seeking to reduce oversight and liability.

Even more concerning is the political strategy behind the amendments. The EPP relied on far-right parties to form a majority, raising serious concerns about the future direction of European policy and the growing influence of anti-regulatory actors.

Why This Matters

If these changes become law, the CSDDD risks becoming a shell of its former promise. What was envisioned as a landmark EU framework for corporate responsibility could transform into a weak, largely symbolic gesture.

Without strong due diligence requirements, supply-chain abuses may continue unchecked. Without liability, victims may lack any meaningful path to justice. Without climate transition obligations, corporations can continue to delay necessary action.

Human Rights Watch warns that accepting these changes could normalize a broader global erosion of human rights standards under corporate pressure.

A Call to Action

As the European Commission, Parliament, and Council head into trilogue negotiations, Human Rights Watch urges lawmakers to defend the integrity of the directive by:

1. Preserving a risk-based due diligence approach that covers full supply chains.
2. Reinstating EU-level civil liability, enabling victims to pursue justice.
3. Rejecting “competitiveness” narratives used to justify deregulation at the expense of rights and accountability.

More Than Bureaucracy

This debate is not just a procedural tug-of-war. It has real, tangible consequences for people around the world: workers exploited in supply chains, communities harmed by pollution, and individuals who suffer from corporate negligence or abuse.

Weakening the CSDDD does not just dilute legislation — it threatens the ability of everyday people to seek justice when powerful corporations cause harm.