The CSDDD and Meaningful Human Rights Due Diligence: Some opportunities and threats

This contribution considers some opportunities for corporations taking on HRDD in response to the UNGPs/OECD Guidelines or in anticipation of the mandatory HRDD legislation that is ahead. Then, it looks at some risks for tick-the-box HRDD, highlighting some of the foreseeable impediments corporations may face to conducting meaningful human rights due diligence. Especially the risk of outsourcing HRDD to experts, auditing companies and certifiers is discussed extensively. This contribution aims to show how compliance professionals and decisionmakers within corporations can make the difference in reducing adverse corporate impacts on human rights and the environment, around the world.