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EU to ‘exchange views’ with US on due diligence, deforestation rules

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By illuminem briefings

· 3 min read


illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Responsible Investor or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: On August 21, 2025, the EU and U.S. announced a Framework Agreement on reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade
As part of this, they agreed to “exchange views” on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
Importantly, the European Commission reaffirmed that it would not grant U.S. companies "more favourable treatment" under the CSDDD or any EU regulation

🔭 The context: The CSDDD, adopted in mid‑2024, requires companies operating or trading in the EU to assess and mitigate human rights and environmental harms across their global value chains
In parallel, the EUDR, effective from late 2024/early 2025, imposes strict deforestation-free sourcing requirements
The Framework Agreement includes commitments to simplify compliance, reduce administrative burdens for businesses (especially SMEs), and engage in dialogue with U.S. stakeholders while maintaining EU rule integrity

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This dialogue-oriented approach may help align transatlantic trade with sustainability objectives — but critics warn that easing burdens and decentralizing enforcement (e.g., removing harmonized liability) risks weakening the policy’s effectiveness
The CSDDD and EUDR were conceived as stepping stones toward rigorous corporate accountability; dilution could undermine that progress

⏭️ What’s next: Negotiations on Omnibus legislative changes to the CSDDD and CSRD — including delaying implementation, raising thresholds, and modifying liability provisions — are ongoing, with resolutions expected in fall trilogue talks among the European Commission, Parliament, and Council
Simultaneously, transatlantic discussions may pave the way for streamlined yet principled implementation mechanisms

💬 One quote: “Embedding commitments on CSDDD/CSRD in a trade deal could lock in deregulation for years, making it almost impossible to restore stronger sustainability standards in the future.”, warns Richard Gardiner, interim head of EU policy at ShareAction

📈 One stat: An estimated 5,400 EU companies and 900 international firms with significant EU business fall within the scope of the CSDDD — though ongoing proposals could sharply reduce these figures via threshold adjustments and narrowed scope

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