abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

22 Feb 2017

Author:
Sherpa

France adopts corporate duty of vigilance law: a first historic step towards better human rights and environmental protection

The French Parliament adopted a much-awaited law establishing a duty of vigilance obligation for parent and subcontracting companies.  The law marks a historic step towards improving corporate respect for human rights and the environment.  We call on European countries, the EU institutions, and the international community to develop similar legislation...When companies default on these obligations, the law empowers victims and other concerned parties to bring the issue before a judge.  This bill will allow to prevent human and environmental rights violations created by multinational activities...[I]f damages are incurred despite a parent company having implemented an adequate vigilance plan, the company will not be liable: a company is not required to guarantee results, but only to prove that it has done everything in its power to avoid damages...We ask the French Government to continue on this path and promote the duty of vigilance law at European and international level, and show support for other initiatives aiming to improve corporate accountability, like the UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights in order to guaranty a globalization respectful of populations and our planet.

Timeline