Civil-society coalition urges European Parliament to adopt stronger approach on Omnibus I reform
The joint statement is endorsed by a wide range of organisations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, the European Environmental Bureau, the Clean Clothes Campaign, Friends of the Earth Europe, WWF’s European office, numerous trade-union federations, responsible-investment groups, and development NGOs from inside and outside the EU.
More than 140 civil-society organisations, trade unions, human-rights advocates, and responsible-business networks have issued a joint statement calling on Members of the European Parliament to agree on a credible and ambitious position on the EU’s Omnibus I package ahead of the 13 November plenary vote. The signatories argue that the upcoming decision will determine whether the EU maintains strong commitments on sustainability, corporate accountability, and human-rights protection. amnesty
What the joint statement is about
Omnibus I is a legislative package intended to adjust parts of the EU’s corporate-sustainability framework. While technical in nature, it has implications for how companies operating in Europe report on environmental and social impacts, manage their supply chains, and address risks related to human rights and the environment.
The statement argues that Parliament’s position should reinforce, not weaken, these standards. According to the signatories, effective sustainability rules benefit workers, consumers, affected communities, and companies themselves by improving legal certainty and encouraging long-term, responsible business practices. amnesty
Concerns raised by the coalition
The document warns against efforts to scale back elements of the EU’s sustainability architecture, saying that weakening existing proposals would undermine the EU’s global leadership and reduce protections for people and the environment.
The coalition states that some industry groups continue to portray sustainability and human rights regulations as ‘bad for business,’ but argues that this narrative primarily stems from sectors that benefit from high-impact or extractive business models. The joint statement contends that the social and environmental costs of inaction far outweigh the investments required for more responsible supply chains. amnesty
The signatories also stress that scaling back ambitions could reduce investor confidence, create legal uncertainty, and hinder Europe’s ability to compete in a global market that increasingly values transparent and sustainable business practices. amnesty
Call for a strong compromise
The organisations urge pro-European political groups to work together and deliver an agreement that:
- applies to a broader range of companies,
- includes meaningful climate-related obligations, and
- ensures access to justice for people harmed by corporate misconduct.
They argue that such a compromise would better protect human rights, safeguard working conditions throughout supply chains, and strengthen the EU’s economic resilience. The statement also recalls that this was the rationale behind the European Commission’s original Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) proposal: to give the single market a coherent and future-proof framework. amnesty
Broad support from global civil society
The joint statement is endorsed by a wide range of organisations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, the European Environmental Bureau, the Clean Clothes Campaign, Friends of the Earth Europe, WWF’s European office, numerous trade-union federations, responsible-investment groups, and development NGOs from inside and outside the EU. The full list includes more than 140 signatories.
