As the European Union moves to simplify its due diligence requirements, nine organizations representing 8,000 affiliated companies—particularly in the clothing sector—have launched a joint appeal urging lawmakers to align the future regulation with existing international standards.

Fair Wear, the Green Button Alliance, Fair Labor, Cascade, Amfori, the Ethical Trading Initiative, Ethical Trade Norway, ETI Sweden, and the Social & Labor Convergence Program have all signed the appeal.

The signatories emphasize the importance of ensuring that the future European due diligence law aligns with the guiding principles already established by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) for large companies. They also cite the relevance of international human rights principles and the standards set by the ILO (International Labour Organization).

“Risk-based due diligence makes good business sense, as it allows actions to be prioritized where they matter most,” the statement says. “It enables companies to prioritize risks and therefore manage them effectively, build resilient supply chains, and contribute significantly to the EU’s climate and social objectives.”

The signatories set out three concrete proposals. First, to integrate a risk-based approach, enabling companies to target the stages of production most at risk, rather than applying a standardized approach. Second, to strengthen collaboration across supply chains by removing the “glass ceilings” that exist in this type of cooperation. Above all, the organizations are calling for a text that is legally secure and stable over time, so as not to make the duty of vigilance dependent on political uncertainties.

After a prolonged phase of negotiation, the European project on corporate duty of vigilance experienced a U-turn within EU institutions in 2024, much to the dismay of mobilized NGOs, particularly in the textile and apparel sector. While France had long prided itself on being a pioneer through its national duty of vigilance, in May, Emmanuel Macron called for the European “due diligence” project to be scrapped altogether.