1 December, 2022, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) jointly hosted the '2022 Taiwan-Europe Conference on Business and Human Rights' at the Chang Yung-Fa International Convention Center(張榮發國際會議中心). The event was co-organized by Taiwan Research Institute(台灣綜合研究院) and the Taiwanese Society of International Law(台灣國際法學會). Minister without Portfolio Lo Ping-cheng (羅秉成) of the Executive Yuan, Minister Wang Mei-hua (王美花) of MOEA, ECCT Executive Director Freddie Wu(巫慧燕), and Executive Director Axel Limberg(林百科) of the German Trade Office delivered opening remarks. The conference invited experts and scholars from Taiwan and Europe to share insights on the latest developments in international business and human rights law, progress in EU corporate sustainability due diligence legislation, its impact on Taiwanese businesses, and emerging business and human rights issues. The event aimed to help Taiwanese enterprises grasp international market opportunities and enhance their supply chain capabilities. Furthermore, a civil support action was launched during the event, bringing together industry associations, businesses, non-governmental organizations, the financial sector, and the legal community. Over 140 entities signed on to support and participate in Taiwan’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. The conference drew a total of more than 300 attendees and was a vibrant and engaging gathering.

In his address, Minister without Portfolio Lo analyzed that Taiwan-EU Human Rights Consultations, under EU recommendations, led to Taiwan's completion and announcement of its first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in the December 2020, gradually expanding industry and corporate participation. International business and human rights norms are transitioning from soft law to hard law, and initiatives such as the EU's corporate sustainability due diligence legislation are placing more responsibility on nations and governments to ensure their enterprises' domestic and overseas operations do not violate human rights, including environmental, labor, social, and corporate governance aspects. This trend affects Taiwanese supply chain manufacturers, who must adapt early to maintain international industrial competitiveness.

In his remarks, Minister without Portfolio Lo highlighted that the Taiwan-EU Human Rights Consultations, guided by EU recommendations, facilitated Taiwan’s development and announcement of its first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in December 2020, progressively increasing industry and corporate engagement. He noted that international norms on business and human rights are shifting from soft law to binding regulations. Initiatives such as the EU’s corporate sustainability due diligence legislation are placing greater obligations on nations and governments to ensure that enterprises uphold human rights across their domestic and overseas operations, encompassing environmental, labor, social, and corporate governance dimensions. This evolving trend poses challenges for Taiwanese supply chain manufacturers, who must proactively adapt to sustain their competitiveness in global markets.

MOEA Minister Wang stated that in the face of global challenges including the pandemic, climate change, Ukraine-Russia war, US-China trade war, and economic transformation, maintaining supply chain security and resilience is increasingly important. Taiwan-EU enterprises not only collaborate extensively across multiple industries but also share supply chain sustainability and human rights values, building closer partnerships on this solid foundation. Corporate sustainability and human rights protection have become key to securing supply chain opportunities. The promotion of Taiwan's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights helps align with international norms, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), advancing Taiwan's corporate human rights protection.

ECCT Executive Director Freddie Wu emphasized that Taiwan and EU businesses share common values in democracy, rule of law, and human rights, and will continue to deepen cooperation. Strengthening human rights protection can reduce operational risks, attract more ESG investors, and gain advantages in international industrial supply chains. Executive Director Axel Limberg of the German Trade Office also mentioned that sharing more practical case studies between Taiwan and EU businesses can help companies implement human rights protection through practical and creative approaches.

At the symposium, a documentary on Taiwan's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights was screened. Industry associations, NGOs, the financial sector, and legal professionals formed the "Industry-Wide Support Action for Taiwan's Business and Human Rights Initiative," with over 140 organizations signing or participating in Taiwan's National Action Plan. Representatives from organizations including the General Chamber of Commerce of Republic of China (Taiwan), the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce, Taiwan (CNAIC), Taiwan Bar Association, and E.SUN Financial Holdings expressed their support on stage. Furthermore, representatives from five Taiwan-EU enterprise representatives from Carrefour Group (家樂福集團), Covestro AG (科思創), Unilever PLC (聯合利華股份有限公司), O'right International Corporation (歐萊德國際股份有限公司), and E.SUN Financial Holding Company, Ltd. (玉山金融控股股份有限公司) - presented case studies on corporate practices in labor rights, environmental rights protection, corporate governance, and social responsibility.

In Session One, "Latest Developments of International Law on Business and Human Rights," moderator Ford Fu-Te Liao, President of the Taiwanese Society of International Law, analyzed that international business human rights norms are gradually shifting from voluntary to mandatory compliance. The EU's ongoing legislative actions will require large corporations and high-risk industries to disclose and manage human rights risks through due diligence, with civil liability imposed for violations causing human rights infringement. Thus, corporate profits must be conditioned on not harming human rights to achieve sustainable development in international supply chains. Gabrielle Holly, Senior Advisor at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, introduced European corporate sustainability due diligence legislation systems and progress, analyzing their impact on non-EU enterprises. Christopher Patz, Policy Officer at the European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ), elaborated on the content of the aforementioned legislation and risk assessment methodologies. Discussants including Horng Der-chin, Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Institute of European and American Studies at Academia Sinica, Assistant Professor Wu Ing-chu of Tamkang University Law Department, and Assistant Professor Lin Pei-chun of Soochow University's Chang Fo-chuan Human Rights Center offered analysis and commentary on the implications of international law and EU legislation for Taiwanese enterprises.

In Session Two, " The Practices and Emerging Issues of Business & Human Rights," moderator Shih Yi-hsiang, Secretary General of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, emphasized that business operations require foresight to prevent human rights violations such as forced labor and ensure supply chain human rights protection. Bonny LING, Research Fellow at the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), and Howard SHIU, Co-Chair of the ECCT Human Resources Committee, analyzed international and Taiwanese corporate performance indicators on gender equality, child labor, forced labor, and migrant and fishery workers' rights. Through legal case studies, they reminded businesses to address, prevent, and improve human rights-related operational risks early. Discussants including Professor KUO Ling-hwei of National Taipei University Law Department, Adjunct Professor TENG Yean-sen of Soochow University Law School, and CHANG Feng-yi, Executive Director of the Taiwan Labor and Social Policy Research Association, provided analysis and commentary on Taiwan's migrant and fishery workers' labor conditions, recommending that Taiwanese enterprises prioritize labor rights protection in global operations and strengthen the just transition process to avoid risks and ensure sustainable order-taking capabilities in international supply chains.

Although this was the first Taiwan-EU joint symposium on business and human rights, co-organizing units participated enthusiastically, including the France-Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFT), the German Trade Office Taipei, the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, the General Chamber of Commerce of the ROC, Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce(Taiwan), the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy(TAISE), Business Council for Sustainable Development Taiwan(BCSD Taiwan), Taiwan Bar Association, and Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions. Through continued international collaboration, this initiative aims to help Taiwanese enterprises grasp the latest international developments and ensure the sustainable competitiveness of Taiwan's industries in global supply chains. This collaborative initiative demonstrates the shared commitment of Taiwan and the European Union to advancing business and human rights standards, while strengthening sustainable development in global supply chains.

 

Contact Information:

Spokesperson:
Mr. Ming-pin CHANG
Director
Investment Services Department
Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: +886-2-2389-2111 ext. 811
Mobile: +886-910-232199
Email: mpchang@moea.gov.tw

Business Contact:
Ms. Mei-hsing LIN
Section Chief
Investment Services Department
Ministry of Economic Affairs
Tel: 02-2389-2111 ext. 610
Mobile: 0988-158298
Email: mhlin2@moea.gov.tw

 

 

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Organizations Supporting and Participating in the "Industry-Wide Support Action for Taiwan's Business and Human Rights Initiative":

British Chamber of Commerce Taipei(BCC Taipei), German Trade Office, France-Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFT), Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce,Taiwan(CNAIC), General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions(TCTU), AUO Corporation, Kingwhale Industrial Corp., Taiwan Cogeneration Corporation, Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, Taiwan Water Corporation Labor Union, E.SUN Financial Holdings, ASE Technology Holding, O-Bank, Taiwan Bar Association, PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal Taiwan(PwC Legal), Chien Yeh Law Office, Winkler Partners Law Office, Business Council for Sustainable Development of Taiwan(BCSD Taiwan), Judicial Reform Foundation, Environmental Quality Protection Foundation, Hsinchu Catholic Diocese Vietnamese Migrant Workers and Immigrants Office, Hsinchu Catholic Diocese Hope Workers' Center, and other organizations, totaling 140 units.