Loi n° 2017-399 du 27 mars 2017 relative au devoir de vigilance des sociétés mères et des entreprises donneuses d'ordre

Article 29 requires French financial institutions to publish annual reports on how they integrate environmental, social and governance criteria, including a dedicated section on biodiversity-related risks and impacts under a double-materiality approach. Reports must be filed with ADEME and the AMF within six months of year-end.

Enforcement

Mandatory

Effective date

Decree 2021-663 of 27 May 2021, published in JORF n°0122 of 28 May 2021 and in force the day after publication (Art. D. 533-16-1 CMF in force 29 May 2021); first reports due 30 June 2022 covering FY2021

Covered entities

French banks, insurers, asset managers and other financial market participants. Full disclosure obligations apply to entities and funds with assets or assets under management above EUR 500 million; lighter regime below the threshold

Article 12 (codified at Art. L. 229-68 of the Environmental Code) prohibits advertisers from claiming that a product or service is carbon neutral, or using wording with an equivalent meaning, unless they make publicly available a GHG emissions report covering the product's direct and indirect emissions, the avoid-reduce-offset approach with a reduction trajectory and quantified annual targets, and the offsetting methods used. The environment minister can issue a formal notice and then fines of EUR 20,000 for individuals and EUR 100,000 for legal entities, raisable to the full amount spent on the unlawful operation (Art. L. 229-69).

Enforcement

Mandatory

Effective date

Law published 24 August 2021; Art. L. 229-68 Environmental Code in force since 25 August 2021; carbon-neutrality claim rules applied from 1 January 2023 (Decree 2022-539 of 13 April 2022; Art. R. 229-110 in force 1 January 2023)

Covered entities

Any advertiser making carbon neutrality or equivalent claims (zero carbon, climate neutral, fully offset) for products or services in France

Directive requiring very large EU and non-EU companies to identify, prevent and address adverse human rights and environmental impacts in their own operations, their subsidiaries' operations and their chains of activities. Omnibus I (Directive (EU) 2026/470) raised the thresholds, deleted the climate transition plan obligation, removed the EU-wide civil liability rule (liability now rests on national law), and capped fines at 3% of net worldwide turnover.

Enforcement

Mandatory once transposed

Effective date

Member State transposition deadline 26 July 2028. National measures apply to all in-scope companies from 26 July 2029; Article 16 reporting applies for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2030.

Covered entities

EU companies with more than 5,000 employees on average and more than EUR 1.5 billion net worldwide turnover, or ultimate parents of groups reaching those thresholds. Non-EU companies with more than EUR 1.5 billion net turnover in the EU in the financial year before the last. Separate thresholds apply to franchising and licensing groups (royalties above EUR 75 million plus turnover above EUR 275 million).

Companies in scope must identify, prevent, and remediate human rights and environmental risks in their own operations and direct suppliers, with risk-based duties extending to indirect suppliers when substantiated knowledge arises. BAFA monitors compliance, can issue orders, and impose fines up to EUR 8 million or 2 percent of average annual turnover (where turnover exceeds EUR 400 million).

Enforcement

Mandatory

Effective date

1 January 2023 (companies with 3,000+ employees in Germany); 1 January 2024 (1,000+ employees in Germany)

Covered entities

Companies with their head office, principal place of business, administrative seat, or registered branch in Germany and at least 1,000 employees in Germany (3,000+ in 2023). Includes German branches of foreign companies.

Covered enterprises must conduct human rights and decent working conditions due diligence aligned with the OECD Guidelines, publish an annual account of their efforts by 30 June, and respond in writing within three weeks to public information requests. The Consumer Authority supervises through guidance, decisions, and enforcement penalties.

Enforcement

Mandatory

Effective date

1 July 2022; first annual due diligence accounts due by 30 June 2023

Covered entities

Larger Norwegian enterprises and foreign enterprises selling goods or services in Norway that are tax-liable in Norway. Companies must meet two of three thresholds: NOK 70 million sales revenue, NOK 35 million balance sheet total, 50 FTE employees.

Covered companies would have to investigate whether child labour exists in their supply chains, adopt a plan of action where reasonable suspicion arises, and submit a one-time declaration of due diligence. Sanctions would include administrative fines and, on repeat offences, criminal liability for directors.

Enforcement

Mandatory

Effective date

Not in force as of 23 September 2026; Art. 12 provides for entry into force on a date set by Royal Decree, no earlier than 1 January 2020, and no date has been set

Covered entities

Companies that sell goods or services to Dutch end-users, regardless of where they are established. Implementing decree was to set thresholds and exemptions.