The Cocoa Coalition has consistently supported the proposed EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence. We believe that it represents an important step forward in driving the necessary transformation of the cocoa and chocolate sector and in making human rights and environmental due diligence the norm in global value chains. We called for EU-wide due diligence legislation in the first position paper we published, in 2019.
Accordingly, we urge support for finalising the text of the Directive as soon as possible and before the end of the current EU legislative term. Failure to do so would undermine the position of those companies aiming to put in place systems that protect human and labour rights and the environment. It would risk the emergence of a patchwork of national legislation in EU member states, increasing compliance costs without any benefit to the sector or consumers. This would be a major setback to sustainability in global supply chains.
The Cocoa Coalition comprises companies (Ferrero, The Hershey Company, Mars Wrigley, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, Tony’s Chocolonely, Unilever), NGOs (Fairtrade International, Fair Trade Advocacy Office, Rainforest Alliance, Solidaridad, VOICE Network) and multi-stakeholder organisations (International Cocoa Initiative).
The full statement with logo’s can be downloaded here.