On 7-8 April 2025 in Vienna, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), in cooperation with the Danish Institute for Human Rights held a symposium titled “Access to justice in the Corporate Sustainability Directive” (. ), which was also attended by the firm’s partner Dr. iur. Lauris Rasnačs. The event brought together high-level legal experts, policy makers and human rights defenders from across the European Union to stimulate debate on remedy mechanisms and corporate responsibility in the field of human rights and environmental protection, bringing to light the new Corporate Sustainability Directive’s requirements.
The Corporate Sustainability Directive requires companies to identify, prevent and mitigate negative impacts on human rights and the environment in their operations and throughout their supply chains. The Directive introduces forms of liability and sanctions, including fines and reputational risks, which are unprecedented in Latvia. Its implementation in the Member States and for different types of traders will take place in phases between 2026 and 2029.
Dr. iur. Lauris Rasnačs actively participated in the discussions on the practical aspects of the implementation of the Directive, providing an insight into the liability models and prerequisites recognised in Latvian law, which could be applied in Latvia in the context of the Directive, as well as commenting on the challenges of its implementation from the perspective of Latvian civil procedural law.
The Firm supports the commitment to promote sustainable and responsible business conduct, however, this goal should not adversely affect access to justice and legal certainty for undertakings and their officials. The Firm is open to consult clients on the Corporate Sustainability Directive and its application in practice.
