On October 15, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and UN Global Compact are hosting the graduation event of the Human Rights Business Accelerator, where a survey on the readiness of Ukrainian companies to implement new European Union corporate sustainability legislation will be presented.

The survey is intended to assess how ready Ukrainian companies are to implement the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), what challenges they face in this process, and how Ukrainian businesses can be supported in successfully adapting to the legislative changes in the EU.

When: 15 October 2024, 15:00–18.00.

For whom: Business representatives

Registration: To attend the event, kindly complete the registration form and await confirmation from the organizers. Hurry, as the number of participants is limited. Registration form

Location: The event will be held in Kyiv, with specific details to be communicated to registered participants.

Why is this important?

The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) is a regulation adopted by the European Union in 2024 to ensure that large companies take proactive measures to identify, prevent, and mitigate negative impacts on human rights and the environment in their operations, subsidiaries, and supply chains.

While the directive primarily targets large companies, its impact will also be felt by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially those closely working with large European Union companies.

Understanding the requirements of the Directive is crucial for both large companies and SMEs. For large companies, it means being accountable for meeting these standards, while for SMEs, it presents an opportunity to receive support to implement new requirements, helping them to remain competitive and resilient in the market.

Why should SMEs  be aware of these changes?

• SMEs collaborating with large EU companies must comply with these standards to maintain business relationships.
• Implementing due diligence processes helps SMEs to identify and reduce risks that could lead to legal, financial, or reputational harm.
• SMEs that adopt sustainable practices early can gain a competitive advantage and attract more business opportunities.

The survey was initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the United Nations Global Compact Network in Ukraine.

The results of this survey will serve as a basis for developing policies, capacity-building initiatives, and support programmes aimed at helping Ukrainian companies comply with the CSDDD and promote responsible business practices in Ukraine.