Q&A Legal HREDD Requirements

Mandatory Human Rights & Environmental Due Diligence: Guidance for Swiss companies navigating legal uncertainty

Legal requirements for human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) have evolved rapidly in recent years. Many countries have introduced laws on responsible business conduct, but some have faced backlash and revisions lately – amongst others the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) under the EU Omnibus package. This has created a climate of legal uncertainty, leaving many companies unsure about how to act upon these mandatory due diligence requirements.

This Q&A provides Swiss companies with an overview of key HREDD laws, along with practical guidance on navigating legal uncertainty. It particularly emphasizes the importance of implementing HREDD management systems in alignment with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP).

The Q&A is available in English.