Tony’s went to Brussels on March 5 to campaign for the adoption of Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Forced Labour Regulation (FLR). Together with 10 Members from EU Parliament, Tony’s ‘raised the bar for legislation’ to end exploitation in global value chains by adopting both legislations. 

lead by example
As an impact company that makes chocolate, Tony’s Chocolonely has been actively campaigning for CSDDD and FLR since day 1. The implementation of both legislative proposals is key to their fight against exploitation in the cocoa supply chain.  

Tony’s already fully complies with both legislations. By implementing Tony’s 5 Sourcing Principles, including paying a higher price for 100% traceable beans, they show that it’s possible to be successful without exploiting farmers at the beginning of the supply chain. And Tony’s believe all companies should hold themselves accountable and do the same. 

legislation is the only way forward
While we celebrate the recent agreement on the FLR – as there are still 30,000 victims of forced labor in cocoa supply chains in West Africa – we need the EU Parliament and the Ministers in the Council of the EU to adopt both the CSDDD and FLR as soon as possible. They’re crucial in our fight against forced labor, child labor and deforestation in the cocoa industry.

But.. CSDDD is suddenly under discussion. Yes, there are members like Germany and Italy that are suddenly withdrawing from the agreement reached. So it is extra important to campaign.

Pascal Baltussen, Chief of Impact and Operations “I cannot overstate how disappointing it is to see the attempts of EU member states - including Germany, France and Italy - to water down and delay this critical legislation. The implementation of CSDDD would be a big step forward in our fight against forced labor, child labor and deforestation in cocoa. After years of hard work, we should not stop now. 

All is not lost, we still have time to do something about it. We want to be held accountable, human rights are not optional, and it is absolutely vital we continue to support Lara Wolters in passing this vote.   

Tony’s Chocolonely has been actively campaigning for CSDDD and already fully complies with this legislation. And we believe all companies should hold themselves accountable and do the same.  

We’​​​​​​​re calling on Germany, France, Italy and all EU member states to do what’s right and pass this legislation, in order for human rights and the environment to be protected. It's only by working together that we’ll end exploitation in cocoa.”