The BDSI said the responsible design of supply and value chains and sustainability are important issues for the German confectionery industry. “However, for the German confectionery industry, the practical design of the planned regulation is essential,” it said.
"The predominantly medium-sized companies from Europe cannot eliminate grievances in many other parts of the world on their own, certainly not those where politics has failed so far," said Dr Carsten Bernoth, General Manager of the BDSI.
"The planned European supply chain law must therefore remain feasible for companies in Europe. It must also not lead to companies from poorer countries withdrawing completely, thus exacerbating the existing problems in these countries.”
He said from BDSI's point of view, the directive can only be effective if not only the companies are held accountable, but also if there is cooperation with their partners in the supply chain and they are also supported.
The BDSI said its sees a positive aspect of the draft law in that the proposal for the European supply chain law expressly recognises certification and testing by independent third parties as “effective instruments”.
Manufacturers in Germany are already playing a leading role worldwide, according to the BDSI, using 77% cocoa and over 90% palm oil, which are certified according to sustainability standards.
BDSI statement:
In numerous countries around the world, from which the confectionery industry also obtains raw materials, human rights are still not respected, even though these countries have signed the relevant international conventions. There are insufficient government controls or violations are not prosecuted.
For mostly medium-sized confectionery companies in Germany, it is in practice not possible to regulate cocoa-growing areas in West Africa on their own.