Business and Human Rights Regulatory Landscape: The Growing Divide Between Europe and the United States

Event Details

The regulatory landscape for business and human rights reflects a growing transatlantic divide between the US and Europe, particularly in corporate HREDD requirements, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, and environmental regulation. Europe and US approaches differ significantly in scope, enforcement, and legal obligations, creating compliance challenges for US multinational companies and the law firms advising them.

National laws in Europe and the EU CSDDD - pending Omnibus proposal - mandate companies to assess and mitigate human rights and environmental risks in their supply chains. These frameworks aim to enforce accountability through civil liabilities and regulatory oversight. In contrast, the US approach relies on voluntary commitments and market-driven incentives and comprehensive HREDD regulation remains absent. DEI policies face increasing political pushback, with some states restricting corporate DEI initiatives, and environmental regulations are frequently contested in courts. These divergences create significant challenges for US multinational companies operating in Europe, as they must align with stricter EU requirements that may not be recognized domestically. Law firms advising these companies face the difficult task of navigating conflicting legal expectations, balancing compliance with European mandates while managing US regulatory and political risks. The lack of global regulatory coherence raises concerns about legal uncertainty, competitiveness, and potential litigation exposure across jurisdictions.

Chair

Dr Irene Pietropaoli, Director of HRDD Forum, BIICL

Speakers

• Lucy Blake, Jenner & Block
• Douglass Cassel, King & Spalding
• Nathan Lankford, Miller & Chevalier
• Rachel Chambers, UConn School of Business
• Tiffani Brownley-Meijer, American Red Cross Adviser
• Patricia Carrier, Coalition to End Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region

Registration

The event will take place at the BIICL office in London. Online participation can be arranged only if necessary. 

This is a closed event, open only to members of the BIICL HRDD Forum.