A few months ago, we began a discussion on this topic among experts. The result of this discussion is a letter addressed to the Prime Minister on August 28, 2024, signed by several dozen organizations, associations, trade unions, chambers of commerce, consulting firms, and law firms. The Polish Institute for Human Rights and Business undertook to coordinate this initiative. Piotr Biernacki and Justyna Biernacka signed the letter on behalf of MATERIALITY.
In our opinion (I am writing here on behalf of all the signatories of the letter, summarizing its main postulates), it is necessary to create or designate a single institution that would supervise, on behalf of the government administration, the fulfillment by companies of all obligations related to sustainable development. It will certainly be easier for companies to be subject to a single supervisory authority than to many different ones. This also reduces the possibility of different interpretations of individual regulations by different administrative bodies.
One institution instead of many also means significant savings for the budget. This institution should be staffed by suitably competent people and provide them with opportunities for continuous training. This institution should also have a consultative and advisory body composed of representatives of business, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, and academia. They could advise, consult, and provide expertise in the field of sustainable development.
The tasks of the newly created or designated institution should include coordinating the activities of the central administration and cooperating with relevant institutions in other member states and within the EU itself. Its purpose would be not only to supervise the implementation of sustainable development obligations, but above all to support companies in meeting these requirements. This would be achieved through educational and informational activities, as well as ongoing dialogue with companies and their representatives.
There is very little time to act, because the CSRD directive is already in force, we are starting to prepare for the CSDDD directive, and obligations under other regulations are also gradually coming into force. I hope that this appeal will be treated with the urgency it deserves. Its implementation will allow us to join the group of countries where companies gain competitive advantages through sustainable development.
I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the details of the appeal available at this address. If you share our point of view and demands, join those who support this initiative. If you have a different opinion, we invite you to join the discussion!
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