FR-DevoirVigilanceIn force since 28 March 2017 (day after promulgation 27 March 2017)

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

France · Civil courts (Tribunal judiciaire de Paris has exclusive jurisdiction since 2021)

In-scope parent and ordering companies must establish, publish, and effectively implement a vigilance plan covering risk mapping, supplier and subcontractor assessment, mitigation actions, an alert mechanism, and a monitoring scheme addressing human rights, health and safety, and environmental harm across the group and established business relationships. Any party with standing can give formal notice and, after three months of non-compliance, seek a court injunction and damages.

Category
Mandatory due diligence
Enforcement
Mandatory
Effective date
27 March 2017; first vigilance plans required for FY2017
Covered entities
French-headquartered companies that, for two consecutive years, employ at least 5,000 employees in France (parent and direct/indirect subsidiaries) or at least 10,000 employees worldwide.
Notes
Constitutional Council struck down the original civil fine provision in 2017. The 2021 'loi pour la confiance dans l'institution judiciaire' centralised jurisdiction at the Paris judicial tribunal.

Sources

Verified 2026-04-30

Related regulations

FR-Article29-LEC

Article 29 of the Energy and Climate Law (Loi n. 2019-1147), Implementing Decree 2021-663 of 27 May 2021

France · Ministry of Economy and Finance (Direction generale du Tresor); Autorite des marches financiers (AMF); ACPR
In force since reporting year 2021 (first reports published in 2022)

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 published 27 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
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
FR-LoiClimat-Art12

Climate and Resilience Law (Loi n. 2021-1104 du 22 aout 2021), Article 12 and related articles on environmental advertising

France · DGCCRF (consumer protection); ARPP self-regulator; Autorite de regulation professionnelle de la publicite
Law adopted 22 August 2021; carbon-neutrality advertising rules in force from 1 January 2023 (Decree 2022-539 of 13 April 2022)

Article 12 prohibits advertisers from claiming that a product or service is carbon neutral, or any equivalent term, unless they publish a full life-cycle GHG emissions report, an emissions reduction trajectory and the offsetting methodology used. Breaches carry fines of up to EUR 100,000, raisable to the full cost of the advertising campaign.

Enforcement
Mandatory
Effective date
Law: 24 August 2021; carbon-neutrality rules: 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
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
EU-CSDDD

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) – Directive (EU) 2024/1760

European Union · European Commission / Member State authorities
Adopted; transposition delayed by 2025 Omnibus and 2026 amending directive

Directive requiring large EU and non-EU companies to identify, prevent, and remedy adverse human rights and environmental impacts in their operations and value chains, and to adopt a climate transition plan. Scope and timelines were revised by the 2025 Omnibus package and Directive (EU) 2026/470.

Enforcement
Mandatory once transposed
Effective date
Member State transposition deadline 26 July 2027. First wave of in-scope companies covered from 2028.
Covered entities
Large EU and non-EU companies meeting employee and turnover thresholds (revised by 2025 Omnibus and Directive (EU) 2026/470).
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
In force from 1 January 2023; expanded scope from 1 January 2024. September 2025 federal cabinet amendment proposes removing the annual reporting duty and easing sanctions ahead of CSDDD transposition.

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.
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
In force from 1 July 2022

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.
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30
NL-CLDDA

Wet zorgplicht kinderarbeid (Child Labour Due Diligence Act), Stb. 2019, 401

Netherlands · To be designated supervisory authority (Autoriteit Consument en Markt was originally proposed); not yet designated
Adopted by Dutch Senate 14 May 2019 and published in Staatsblad; never entered into force. Implementing decree pending. Likely to be superseded by a broader Dutch Responsible and Sustainable International Business Conduct (IMVO) bill or by CSDDD transposition.

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 yet in force as of 1 May 2026; original target of 1 January 2022 lapsed
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.
Primary source ↗Verified 2026-04-30