Ireland can ensure that business and human rights are protected during its EU Presidency

The European Union (EU) has declared competitiveness to be an overarching priority. As part of its Simplification efforts, the EU seeks to reduce regulatory burdens to strengthen competitiveness and improve clarity and implementation.

While this is understandable, this must come with protections for workers and the planet.

Current Simplification efforts have at times left out proper consideration of the impact they could have on the environment and human rights. A way to ensure these are protected is by conducting mandatory stakeholder consultations. 

The rules that protect people and planet have been painted as “red tape.” 

Yet, ensuring that workers are not exploited, that digital rights are protected and that the natural environment is protected is not an unnecessary burden. These are essential protections.

This simplification drive also raises serious concerns around transparency and respect for democratic principles. 

The first Omnibus illustrates these risks. An omnibus proposal is a package of legislative proposals that amends multiple existing EU legal acts at the same time. It significantly weakened back key provisions in the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). This was a landmark law designed to mandate responsible business conduct both within and outside the EU. It contained significant implications for efforts to address the climate crisis and protect workers in supply chains of EU companies.

Ireland can do things to protect people’s rights during its Presidency.

• It can protect transparent, evidence-based law-making. Ireland should use its role as chair and steward to ensure that future Omnibus files are handled through a transparent and credible process. This means allowing sufficient time for proper impact assessments and meaningful consultations with stakeholders.
• Defend the regulations that protect people and planet. Ireland should work to ensure that simplification efforts do not weaken existing environmental, workers’ rights and human rights standards.