Symposium | From sustainability reporting to due diligence: What role(s) for intermediaries?
In this symposium, we will explore how various intermediaries are involved in due diligence and reporting, and the challenges and opportunities they encounter.
New regulations on sustainability reporting and due diligence, but also on topics such as deforestation and forced labour, require companies to identify and address negative social and environmental impacts throughout their value chains. However, uncertainty remains about the legal and practical implications of these regulatory shifts.
Intermediary organizations - such as business federations, trade unions, consulting firms, government agencies, research institutes, and NGOs - can provide crucial support to companies and other stakeholders across the value chain. However, these intermediaries themselves face substantial challenges in interpreting and implementing these new regulations.
In this symposium, we will explore how various intermediaries are involved in due diligence and reporting, and the challenges and opportunities they encounter. It also marks the unofficial start of a four-year research project which is aimed at better understanding and strengthening the role of intermediaries in reporting and due diligence.
Tentative program subject to changes
| 9:30 - 9:50 | The push for sustainable value chains: what role(s) for intermediaries? - Dr. Boris Verbrugge (HIVA-KU Leuven) |
| 9:55 - 10:15 | What’s at stake? Due diligence, SMEs, and smallholders - Sophia Zakari (Director Enterprise Policy and Legal Affairs @ SME United), Philippe Weiler (CEO @ Fairtrade Belgium) |
| 10:20 - 10:55 | Panel 1: Private sector intermediaries - Mattis Caboor (Project Manager International Business @VOKA), Marc Daelman (Belgian Institute for Company Auditors (IBR-IRE)), Ann Nachtergaele (Director Food Production and Consumption Policy @ Fevia). Introduction by Prof. Hans de Wulf, UGent |
| 10:55 - 11:20 | Coffee break |
| 11:20 - 11:55 | Panel 2: Civil society intermediaries - Oxfam Belgium, Karin Debroey (Head of International Department @ACV-CSC), IDH |
| 11:55 - 12:15 | The role of voluntary sustainability standards in due diligence - Bart Holvoet (Director @ FSC Belgium), second party tbc. Introduction by Dr. Axel Marx, KU Leuven |
| 12:15 - 12:45 | Intermediary engagement and support: lessons from the Netherlands - Alexandra van Selm (Policy Director at the Social Economic Council, Netherlands) |
| 12:45 - 13:00 | Wrap-up and next steps - Dr. Boris Verbrugge (HIVA-KU Leuven) |
| 13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch |