Launched CCIS Service Center - All Important Information Regarding Due Diligence in One Place

Today, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia's latest service- Responsible Business Hub was launched. It is a Service Center available to all companies in Serbia that are part of German and global supply chains and contains all important information on the implementation of the new Law on Supply Chains in Germany and the EU.

According to the German Law on Due Diligence in the supply chains, which came into effect on January 1st, 2023, all domestic companies that are in the supply chains of German companies are required to meet requirements in the field of human rights protection, rights workers, and ecology.

It is estimated that the new regulation will affect the business operations of around 3,000 companies in Serbia. Mihailo Vesović, Director of the Sector for Internationalization of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, points out that supporting companies in fulfilling and application of regulations is one of the key economic topics that the hub will deal with.

"This is very important for the competitiveness of our companies and the continuity of business operations. The task of the Hub and CCIS is to provide strong support for the economy to better adapt to the changes, and harmonize its operations based on respect for human rights and environmental protection.

 "For successful functioning, we need the support of all actors - business associations, competent institutions, civil sector," added Vesović.

Peer Krumney, the adviser at the German Embassy in Serbia, spoke about German experiences in the preparation, monitoring, and implementation of the Law on Due Diligence, pointing out the importance of dialogue and successful implementation.

Françoise Jacob, the permanent coordinator of the UN in Serbia, emphasized the importance of the quality legal framework and its effective application in terms of human rights, the rights of workers, women, children, and the green transition.

Activities of the Help Desk will include the creation of a network of strategic partners and consultants, CCIS will organize education and consultations aimed at raising awareness and encouraging dialogue between interested parties regarding German Law in the supply chain and EU regulation. The Law on Due Diligence is an introduction to the European Directive which is expected to be introduced. It will be stricter and include more regulations and requirements than German law itself.

The regulation applies both to companies that are registered in Germany and to their subsidiaries abroad, as well as to direct and indirect suppliers in their supply chains.
The requirements that are placed before suppliers refer to the prohibition of child labor, the prohibition of forced labor, and discrimination, the right to form or join unions and adequate earnings, the prohibition of illegal confiscation of the land, as well as violation and abuse of private security.
In the field of environmental protection, the law stipulates compliance with three international conventions - the use of mercury in accordance with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the application of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants as well as the application of the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.
The law applies to companies that have their headquarters or a branch in Germany and that employ more than 3,000 workers in Germany. Starting January 1st, 2024, the validity of the law is extended to all companies that employ more than 1,000 workers in Germany.
The first part of 2023 will be for adjustment to adjust their procedures, and domestic companies are expected to receive from their German partners in the second half of this year the requirements that they should fulfill in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
The development of the CCIS Help Desk was supported by the German Development Cooperation, and is carried out by the German Organization for international cooperation GIZ within the project "Initiative for Global Solidarity".