Divergence in HRDD Legislation: A Comparative Study of France, Germany, and the United States
Research Article
Open Access
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Divergence in HRDD Legislation: A Comparative Study of France, Germany, and the United States

Yutong Mu 1*
1 Heilongjiang University
*Corresponding author: Gavin18754@Outlook.com
Published on 30 July 2025
Volume Cover
LNEP Vol.107
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-273-7
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-274-4
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Abstract

The globalization of human rights risks in supply chains has precipitated significant divergence in mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) legislation across nations. This study uses a most-similar case design to compare legislative frameworks in France, Germany, and the US, analyzing differences in liability logic, enforcement mechanisms, and remedial effectiveness. Key findings show legal traditions set liability foundations, and business-civil society bargaining intensity determines legislative stringency. The core contribution shows a positive link between "structural capacity to bypass corporate law barriers" and legislative effectiveness. France rebuilds corporate purpose via civil joint liability, Germany maintains limited liability through administrative compliance, and the United States stays stuck in greenwashing due to shareholder primacy. This research proposes differentiated governance pathways, enhancing judicial activism in civil law, exploring equity innovations in common law, and establishing an transnational tort database certified by International Labour Organization (ILO). The study offers a layered framework for localizing UNGPs and adaptive solutions for emerging economies.

Keywords:

HRDD Legislation, Transnational Corporate Liability, Supply Chain Human Rights, Comparative Legal Study

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Mu,Y. (2025). Divergence in HRDD Legislation: A Comparative Study of France, Germany, and the United States. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,107,27-37.

References

[1]. Savourey, E., & Brabant, S. (2021). The French law on the duty of vigilance: Theoretical and practical challenges since its adoption. Business and Human Rights Journal, 6(1), 141-152.

[2]. Friedlich, N. (2023). Tempered Vigilance: Realizing Effective Remedy for Rightsholders Under the French Duty of Vigilance Law. Va. J. Int'l L., 64, 609.

[3]. YILDIRIM SOYSAL, H. (2023). ULUSÖTESİ ŞİRKETLERİN TEDARİK ZİNCİRLERİNDE İNSAN HAKLARI SORUMLULUĞU VE ALMAN HUKUKUNDAKİ GELİŞMELER. Banking & Commercial Law Journal/Banka ve Ticaret Hukuk Dergisi, 39(3).

[4]. Gamble, S. W. (2021). A corporate human rights due diligence law for California. UC Davis L. Rev., 55, 2421.

[5]. Hess, D. (2021). The management and oversight of human rights due diligence. American Business Law Journal, 58(4), 751-798.

[6]. Cossart, S., Chaplier, J., & De Lomenie, T. B. (2017). The French law on duty of care: A historic step towards making globalization work for all. Business and Human Rights Journal, 2(2), 317-323.

[7]. Yang, Y. (2017). Liability and compensation for oil spill accidents: International regime and its implementation in China. Natural Resources Journal, 57(2), 465-492.

[8]. Nixon, B. (2024). A Narrative Discourse on Large Global Corporations and Modern Slavery in Complex Supply Chains (Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University).

[9]. Choudhury, B. (2023). Corporate law’s threat to human rights: Why human rights due diligence might not be enough. Business and Human Rights Journal, 8(2), 180-196.

[10]. Wagner, G. (2023). Liability Rules for the Digital Age: –Aiming for the Brussels Effect–. Journal of European Tort Law, 13(3), 191-243.

[11]. Mittwoch, A. C., & Bremenkamp, F. L. (2023). The German Supply Chain Act-A Sustainable Regulatory Framework for Internationally Active Market Players?. Rev. Eur. & Comp. L., 55, 189.

[12]. YE, B., & YANG, K. (2022). The transformation of the Human Rights-based economy in Europe: comments on the proposed corporate sustainability due diligence directive. Chinese journal of European studies, 40, 76-107.

[13]. Bradlow, A. H. (2018). Human rights impact litigation in ISDS: a proposal for enabling private parties to bring human rights claims through investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms. Yale J. Int'l L., 43, 355.

[14]. Ofodile, U. E. (2023). ESG, supply chain due diligence and food systems transformation: changes and challenges. In Research Handbook on International Food Law (pp. 291-314). Edward Elgar Publishing.

[15]. Taylor, C. R. (2017). The unsettled state of compelled corporate disclosure regulation after the conflict mineral rule cases. Lewis & Clark L. Rev., 21, 427.

References

[1]. Savourey, E., & Brabant, S. (2021). The French law on the duty of vigilance: Theoretical and practical challenges since its adoption. Business and Human Rights Journal, 6(1), 141-152.

[2]. Friedlich, N. (2023). Tempered Vigilance: Realizing Effective Remedy for Rightsholders Under the French Duty of Vigilance Law. Va. J. Int'l L., 64, 609.

[3]. YILDIRIM SOYSAL, H. (2023). ULUSÖTESİ ŞİRKETLERİN TEDARİK ZİNCİRLERİNDE İNSAN HAKLARI SORUMLULUĞU VE ALMAN HUKUKUNDAKİ GELİŞMELER. Banking & Commercial Law Journal/Banka ve Ticaret Hukuk Dergisi, 39(3).

[4]. Gamble, S. W. (2021). A corporate human rights due diligence law for California. UC Davis L. Rev., 55, 2421.

[5]. Hess, D. (2021). The management and oversight of human rights due diligence. American Business Law Journal, 58(4), 751-798.

[6]. Cossart, S., Chaplier, J., & De Lomenie, T. B. (2017). The French law on duty of care: A historic step towards making globalization work for all. Business and Human Rights Journal, 2(2), 317-323.

[7]. Yang, Y. (2017). Liability and compensation for oil spill accidents: International regime and its implementation in China. Natural Resources Journal, 57(2), 465-492.

[8]. Nixon, B. (2024). A Narrative Discourse on Large Global Corporations and Modern Slavery in Complex Supply Chains (Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University).

[9]. Choudhury, B. (2023). Corporate law’s threat to human rights: Why human rights due diligence might not be enough. Business and Human Rights Journal, 8(2), 180-196.

[10]. Wagner, G. (2023). Liability Rules for the Digital Age: –Aiming for the Brussels Effect–. Journal of European Tort Law, 13(3), 191-243.

[11]. Mittwoch, A. C., & Bremenkamp, F. L. (2023). The German Supply Chain Act-A Sustainable Regulatory Framework for Internationally Active Market Players?. Rev. Eur. & Comp. L., 55, 189.

[12]. YE, B., & YANG, K. (2022). The transformation of the Human Rights-based economy in Europe: comments on the proposed corporate sustainability due diligence directive. Chinese journal of European studies, 40, 76-107.

[13]. Bradlow, A. H. (2018). Human rights impact litigation in ISDS: a proposal for enabling private parties to bring human rights claims through investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms. Yale J. Int'l L., 43, 355.

[14]. Ofodile, U. E. (2023). ESG, supply chain due diligence and food systems transformation: changes and challenges. In Research Handbook on International Food Law (pp. 291-314). Edward Elgar Publishing.

[15]. Taylor, C. R. (2017). The unsettled state of compelled corporate disclosure regulation after the conflict mineral rule cases. Lewis & Clark L. Rev., 21, 427.

Cite this article

Mu,Y. (2025). Divergence in HRDD Legislation: A Comparative Study of France, Germany, and the United States. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,107,27-37.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Volume title: Proceedings of ICILLP 2025 Symposium: Property Law and Blockchain Applications in International Law and Legal Policy

ISBN: 978-1-80590-273-7(Print) / 978-1-80590-274-4(Online)
Editor: Renuka Thakore
Conference website: https://2025.icillp.org/London.html
Conference date: 21 November 2025
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.107
ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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