No German Sonderweg: 17 trade associations call for an end to the national supply chain law

Following the first reading of the amendment to the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettengesetz, LkSG) in the German Bundestag, 17 leading trade associations are calling for the LkSG to be suspended entirely. In the associations' view, the changes proposed so far are not sufficient to provide companies with any noticeable relief.

The draft bill is essentially limited to the removal of the reporting obligation and a reduction in sanctions. However, the comprehensive due diligence obligations along global supply chains and the detailed documentation requirements remain in place. ‘No noticeable relief is therefore to be expected,’ the associations clarify in a letter to the Bundestag and the Federal Government.

The associations' core demand is therefore to suspend the LkSG. At the same time, the federal government must fulfil its commitment from the coalition agreement and swiftly implement the changes to supply chain regulation (‘Omnibus I’) agreed at EU level in December 2025 in a low-bureaucracy and practical form. ‘This promise must now be fulfilled.’

If the LkSG is not suspended, the associations advocate at least immediately adapting the national scope of application to that of the European Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). This only covers very large companies. Accordingly, companies that will no longer be covered by the European regulation in future should also no longer be subject to national obligations, according to the associations. Otherwise, there would be a risk of competitive disadvantages and legal uncertainty.

‘Germany must end its special national path and use the ongoing LkSG amendment specifically to provide tangible relief,’ the associations emphasise. Postponing this until 2029 is not an option. ‘We call on the Bundestag and the Federal Government to take the necessary measures without delay,’ is the clear message.

For press enquiries concerning the positions of the individual associations involved, please contact the press officers of the respective organisations.