EU supply chain directive
30.1.2024
Question for written answer E-000281/2024
to the Commission
Rule 138
Roman Haider (ID)
The European Commission has put forward a proposal for an EU supply chain directive.[1] Eight German business associations have signed a joint letter to request that this directive be scrapped, as it would make foreign trade more difficult and be detrimental to European jobs and value creation.[2]
- 1.The business associations are particularly critical of the scope of the planned civil liability, which not only leads to excessive red tape and legal uncertainty, but also risks turning international business partners away from their EU partners. What is the Commission’s response to the concern that this liability will constitute a real barrier to trade and make European companies less competitive at global level?
- 2.The fact that the directive covers purely intra-European supply chains in the already highly regulated EU internal market is also criticised. What is the Commission’s view of the call for an explicit exemption for all suppliers and customers based in the EU internal market?
- 3.For larger companies with tens of thousands or more suppliers, the cost of complying with the directive could run into the millions. What is the Commission’s position on the proposal to introduce threshold values – based on purchase value – above which the obligations apply?
Submitted:30.1.2024
Last updated: 7 February 2024