From November 2017 to June 2020, we campaigned pro bono for an effective counter-proposal to the Responsible Business Initiative.
To this end, we founded the “Yes to corporate responsibility with a counter-proposal” committee, provided ongoing support and maintained a website.
The members of the committee were public figures from the worlds of business, law and science who have campaigned for adequate regulation: On the one hand, it should be ensured that human rights and the environment are respected and protected in business activities abroad as well, in order to meet the legitimate expectations of the public.
On the other hand, it was also important to create clarity and legal certainty for the companies concerned.
Last but not least, the committee was keen to prevent a polemical referendum campaign.
The committee supported the proposal drawn up by the National Council’s Legal Affairs Committee in May 2018, adopted by the National Council in June 2018 and continuously fleshed out in the parliamentary process until May 2020.
This counter-proposal provided for due diligence obligations for all human rights and environmental issues as well as an enforcement mechanism via civil liability.
However, Parliament adopted the Council of States’ counter-proposal in the agreement conference between the two chambers and in the final vote of the summer session in June 2020.
This counter-proposal, which the committee considers insufficient, requires companies to report on human rights and the environment once a year – or to explain why they do not wish to do so (“comply or explain”).
Selected companies must also carry out due diligence with regard to child labor and conflict minerals.
The regulation does not contain any sanctions if companies do not comply with their social and environmental responsibility.
The referendum on the Responsible Business Initiative will take place on November 29. [print_link]
