The Cocoa Coalition’s comments – whose membership includes Mondelez, Nestlé, Ferrero and Tony’s Chocolonely (see full list below) – come ahead of the College of Commissioners’ plans to discuss the Omnibus package for the EU on 26 February.
In November 2024, EU president Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EC would look at an omnibus package which aimed to cut red tape and eliminate overlaps and contradictions in sustainability reporting requirements, all while maintaining standards.
However, Coalition members raised concerns that discussions around this Omnibus package could lead modifications to the CSDDD at a time when all focus should be on preparations to implement it.
Open letter
In an open letter to Leyen, executive vice-president Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president Stéphane Séjourné and commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, members of the cocoa industry warned the EC that a failure to implement the CSDDD on time would undermine the position of those companies aiming to put in place systems to protect human and labour rights and the environment.
Such delays could result in a ‘patchwork’ of national legislation in EU member states, increasing compliance cost without any benefit to the sector or consumers – not to mention a major setback to sustainability goals in global supply chains.
“In order to prevent more uncertainty and delays, we urge the European Commission to focus on the preparations as required in the CSDDD,” read the letter. “We call upon the European Commission not to undertake any modification of the adopted text of the CSDDD, nor to reopen it for renegotiation by the co-legislators.
Preparations
“Companies have over two years to prepare for implementation. We are confident that with clear guidance and timely support from the European Commission, implementation of the CSDDD provisions will be practical and workable for companies, sectors, and the European economy.”
Then Coalition called for guidance on the direction of the CSDDD, including what companies are accountable for and accompanying measures, especially to support upstream economic actors and vulnerable stakeholders in global value chains.
“We call on the European Commission to prevent further delays and engage with relevant stakeholders, including through the public consultation – originally planned for Q4 2024 – on the guidelines to support the implementation of the CSDDD,” the letter concluded.
Meanwhile, the UK’s food and beverage sector remains committed to EU imports, according to a new report from the EC.
Signatories:
Fairtrade International: Jon Walker, Senior Advisor, Cocoa (press@fairtrade.net)
Fair Trade Advocacy Office: Alena Kahle, Senior Policy and Project Coordinator (kahle@fairtrade-advocacy.org)
Ferrero: Francesco Tramontin, Vice President Group Public Policy Center and EU Institutional Affairs
(Francesco.Tramontin@ferrero.com)
The Hershey Company: Tim McCoy, Director, Cocoa Partnerships (TMcCoy@hersheys.com)
International Cocoa Initiative: Sarah Dekkiche, Director of Policy and Partnerships (s.dekkiche@cocoainitiative.org)
IDH: Renske Aarnoudse, Programme Director Cocoa (aarnoudse@idhtrade.org)
Mars Wrigley: Louisa Cox, Senior Director of Public Affairs Sustainable Sourcing (louisa.cox@effem.com)
Mondelēz International: Can Buharali, Senior Director Global Public Affairs (Can.Buharali@mdlz.com)
Nestlé: Bart Vandewaetere, Vice President ESG Engagement, Nestlé Europe
(Bart.Vandewaetere@be.nestle.com)
Rainforest Alliance: Alexandra Dawe, Corporate Affairs Director (adawe@ra.org)
Solidaridad: Virginie Mfegue, Policy Influencing Adviser Cocoa (virginie.mfegue@solidaridadnetwork.org)
Tony’s Chocolonely: Belinda Borck, Impacticular Storyteller & Chocolonely Foundation Manager
(belinda@tonyschocolonely.com)
VOICE Network: Antonie C. Fountain, Managing Director (antonie@voicenetwork.eu)
