From Compliance to Competitiveness: Building Practical Due Diligence Systems for Business Success

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) has increased the urgency for businesses to strengthen social and environmental due diligence, with the main obligations expected to apply from 26 July 2029. Companies that supply, source for, or trade with businesses linked to the EU market may soon face growing expectations to demonstrate robust ESG risk management. This will bring greater scrutiny of supply chain risks and stronger pressure to show credible action and measurable progress, with implications across global supply chains and particularly for businesses in Asia.

But due diligence is no longer only about compliance. It is becoming a driver of customer relationships, sourcing decisions, supplier performance, business continuity and competitiveness. This session will explore how businesses can move beyond reactive compliance and build practical due diligence systems, drawing on tools such as risk assessment, supplier engagement, audit insights, grievance mechanisms and improvement plans.

Session Learnings:

• To understand how the CSDDD and other due diligence developments in Asia may affect business operations and supply chain expectations.
• To learn how companies in Asia can build practical due diligence systems that support both regulatory compliance and commercial readiness
• To explore how risk assessment, supplier engagement, audit insights, grievance mechanisms and improvement plans can strengthen due diligence in practice.
• To gain insights from real-life examples on how practical tools can help businesses manage human rights and environmental risks with greater structure and credibility.

Post-Event Actions:

• Review whether the current operations and management approach are ready for rising due diligence expectations
• Identify where organisations may face risk exposure through customers, suppliers, sourcing offices or other business relationships
• Assess gaps in current due diligence processes, including risk assessment, supplier monitoring, grievance channels and improvement planning.
• Consider how amfori’s tools and services can support organisations in strengthening due diligence readiness and supply chain partnerships