Reduction in bureaucracy
Criticism of changes to supply chains rules
Human rights in the supply chains – now bureaucracy for companies is to be broken down on this sensitive topic. But there is criticism from several sides.
The planned change of the supply chain law comes across from criticism of different pages. Germany’s employer warn of costs at a double -digit millions. The Greens, on the other hand, accuse the black and red coalition of a dilution of previous supply chains rules, which are to be ensured, among other things, the observance of human rights in companies. This Wednesday, the template is to receive the green light in the federal cabinet and then advise on the parliament.
The supply chain law, which has been in force since 2023, is intended to ensure that certain labor and environmental standards are observed for products that are produced abroad for the German market. Companies must regularly publish a report on the fulfillment of these duties.
A defusing has now been announced based on projects from the coalition agreement for reducing bureaucracy. A reporting obligation introduced with the German supply chain law is to be abolished. In addition, only serious violations of specifications from the law will be punished in the future.
Employers want complete abolition
Despite the defused, the general manager of the Federal Association of German Employers’ Associations, Steffen Kampeter, criticized the retention of previous principles. “Instead of abolishing the supply chain law as promised several times, it is confirmed in its stress,” said Kampeter of the German Press Agency. “The expectations of the economy and the employees who deal with the bureaucracy every day are disappointed.”
Warning green of softening
The economic policy spokeswoman for the Green Group, Sandra Detzer, on the other hand, accused the government of misjudging the need for supply chain transparency. Her faction colleague and former party leader Ricarda Lang accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) that “only the most difficult violations of human rights were worth mentioning for him”.
In parallel to the German supply chain law, there is also an EU supply chain guideline, which the EU countries must implement by July 2027 according to the draft law. This should then replace the German regulation.
dpa
Source: Stern
