Brussels/Ljubljana – The EU Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on Monday in the area of simplifying the rules on corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence, which are part of the so-called omnibus legislative proposal of the European Commission. At the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, they support the objectives of the legislative proposal, but remain cautious in considering individual amendment proposals, they explained to STA on Tuesday. The proposal has encountered opposition in Slovenia from part of society as well as from politics.
In understanding the objectives of the planned changes pursued by the proposal, it is necessary, according to the ministry, to take into account the warnings of the author of the report on EU competitiveness, Mario Draghi, about the heavy regulatory burden that the existing system represents for companies. “On this basis, we support the objectives of the legislative package, which aims to increase the competitiveness of companies in the EU by simplifying the requirements in the field of sustainability reporting and due diligence, especially for smaller companies in the value chain, while at the same time preserving the benefits for people and the environment,” they wrote.
“Despite supporting efforts to simplify legislative frameworks and reduce the burden on companies, we remain cautious in considering individual amendment proposals. We advocate that the solutions must be well thought out, proportionate and professionally justified,” they emphasized.
In Slovenia, several non-governmental organizations and also part of the political sphere oppose the proposal. Eleven non-governmental organizations have warned that the EU is in fact dismantling key legislation that is supposed to protect people and the environment under the pretext of reducing administrative burdens. The Human Rights Ombudsman has warned that measures to reduce the administrative burden on the economy must ensure strong and responsible business conduct for the protection of human rights and the environment, and the easing was also opposed by the Levica party of the ruling coalition. (9 December)
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