European Parliament backs delaying contested supply chain law
The European Parliament on Thursday cleared the way, as expected, for a delay to the European supply chain law.
A broad majority of lawmakers in Strasbourg voted in favour of postponing the implementation of the first regulations of the controversial project by one year.
Now the EU member states only need to approve the step for the amendment to be published in the EU's Official Journal.
But this is seen as a formality, as EU member states last week backed the delay, following a proposal from the EU Commission.
The aim of the original proposal is to enhance human rights globally by making large companies accountable for profiting from human rights violations, such as the use of child or forced labour.
Business has been critical, seeing excessive regulation that would impose a large bureaucratic burden and reduce the bloc's competitiveness. Companies and conservative lawmakers have called for cutting red tape.
But more liberal-leaning lawmakers have argued that it is important that corporate liability not be weakened. A delay was therefore seen as a solid compromise by most parties.
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31 minutes ago
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