European-level legislation increasingly shapes the operating environment for cooperative enterprises. Topics such as sustainability reporting requirements, supply chain due diligence, and a possible “28th Regime” in European company law are of growing relevance for cooperatives and SMEs alike.
To discuss these and other topics in a coordinated manner, IRU regularly participates in a cross-association Jour Fixe in Brussels together with representatives of the German cooperative associations. Participants include representatives in Brussels from the Bundesverband der Deutschen Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken (BVR), Deutscher Raiffeisenverband (DRV), DER MITTELSTANDSVERBUND – ZGV, the Zentralverband deutscher Konsumgenossenschaften, and the GdW Bundesverband deutscher Wohnungs- und Immobilienunternehmen.
During the most recent meeting on December 9, representatives of the associations exchanged views with Member of the European Parliament Jens Geier on current and upcoming EU legislative initiatives.
The discussion focused on several key policy areas of particular relevance for cooperatives:
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Financial reporting and KPIs
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EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
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The proposed “28th Regime”
An internal exchange among the participating associations followed the meeting, allowing for deeper discussion, the sharing of different sectoral experiences, and the identification of common advocacy priorities for the coming year.
