COCERAL, FEDIOL, and FEFAC endorse adoption in Plenary of the CSDDD compromise agreement

COCERAL, FEDIOL, and FEFAC, representing the EU grain and oilseed trade, the industry crushing oilseeds, refining vegetable oils and the animal feed industry, endorse the political agreement reached on the CSDDD and therefore welcome its adoption today by the European Parliament. We now look to the Council to formally endorse the agreement.

The compromise text is much closer to the international frameworks on due diligence, such as the OECD and UN guidelines, which will allow companies to prioritise addressing adverse impacts where the risks are most likely and severe and therefore require urgent attention. This targeted approach will help deliver the most impact.

Furthermore, the recognition of independent third-party verification, including by industry or multi-stakeholder initiatives, to support the implementation of due diligence obligations will facilitate compliance through their expertise and long-standing experience. Such multi-stakeholder initiatives can also increase the leverage of companies to address impacts through collective effort.

In view of the expected final adoption and entry into force of the CSDDD, companies will need to start preparing to implement the obligations of the Directive. To ensure successful and timely compliance, we count on the Commission to provide practical and easy-to-understand guidance and best practices well ahead of the date of application, namely on how to conduct due diligence, including on prioritisation of impacts, appropriate measures to adapt purchasing practices, information on responsible disengagement, appropriate measures for remediation, and on how to identify and engage with stakeholders. Given the specificities of bulk agricultural supply chains, we also urge the Commission to issue agriculture-specific guidance.

Member States should ensure there is no duplication of obligations with other EU legislation covering due diligence obligations or complementing the CSDDD, such as the Forced Labour Regulation, to prevent unnecessary burden and resulting loss of EU competitiveness. Appropriate due diligence measures under the CSDDD should also be considered as such in the Forced Labour Regulation, while guidelines issued under both legislations should not contradict each other.

Our companies look forward to constructive cooperation with the Commission, Member State supervisory authorities, other companies, as well as other stakeholders to ensure that risks in our supply chains are duly identified and properly addressed and to promote an increasingly sustainable EU economy over time.

Download the full press release here.