European countries have advanced their due diligence legislations, further emphasizing the importance of business and human rights in today’s globalized economy. This development underscores the growing recognition of the interconnectedness between corporate activities and their impact on human rights.
Addressing key issues
The purpose of the study tour was to share new knowledge and legal developments on HRDD in Norway and other European countries, as many of these new laws will have direct impact on foreign companies and their operations. The new Norwegian Transparency Act was presented in detail, while other due diligence laws including the French Duty of Vigilance Law, the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence in Supply Chains, the UK Modern Slavery Act, and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive also received attention.
A significant part of the program centered on the enactment of Norway’s Transparency Act and the collaborative efforts of both governmental and corporate entities in Norway to put it into practice. The group was presented with Norwegian and European views on how human rights due diligence legislation is implemented, assessing prominent risks in a global value chain, how businesses can identify and alleviate these risks, and mechanisms for follow-up and accountability to ensure that corporations adhere to the established standards.
Connecting experts
The Chinese delegation, consisting of both academics and practitioners, got the chance to meet and engage with experts on HRDD from relevant Norwegian institutions and civil society organizations, such as the University of Oslo, the Norwegian National Contact Point, the Council on Ethics, Ethical Trading Initiative Norway, consultant companies Position Green and Ahead for Business and Human Rights.
In meetings with professionals engaged in the area of business and human rights in Norway, the Chinese delegation had several insightful dialogues on the implications of Europe’s due diligence laws.
Challenges and potential for the future
Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence requirements have developed across the world in the past few years, and these requirements will influence both the companies functioning within nations that have adopted these regulations as well as other businesses in the downstream value chain. No company can turn a blind eye to human rights due diligence, regardless of whether they are legally required to do so or not. During the week in Oslo, experts from both China and Norway had fruitful dialogues exploring the implications of such legislations and the challenges and opportunities they present for the business sector in the future.