Media reaction
Scrutiny over "Omnibus" proposal grows as EU Ombudsman opens inquiry after NGOs' complaint
23 May 2025
Scrutiny over “Omnibus” proposal grows as EU Ombudsman opens inquiry after NGOs’ complaint
NGOs have welcomed the EU Ombudsman's decision to launch an inquiry into how the European Commission prepared its first 'Omnibus Simplification Package,' following a complaint they submitted.
The EU Ombudsman has announced today the opening of an inquiry into the Commission’s alleged non-compliance with its Better Regulation Guidelines in preparing the so-called Omnibus proposal. She will conduct an inspection of certain documents in the Commission’s file and meet with relevant Commission Staff before 18 June.
This follows a formal complaint submitted by a coalition of eight NGOs regarding the Commission's flawed decision-making process underpinning the Omnibus Simplification Package which seeks to amend key corporate sustainability laws, such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
NGOs argue that the Commission bypassed a proper impact assessment and excluded broad public consultation, deviating from its own procedural standards established in the Better Regulation Guidelines, and breached the essential procedural requirement under the European Climate Law to conduct a climate consistency assessment. NGOs allege this constitutes maladministration.
ClientEarth, Anti-Slavery International, Clean Clothes Campaign, European Coalition for Corporate Justice, Friends of the Earth Europe, Global Witness, Notre Affaire À Tous and T&E said:
“This swift and decisive action by the EU Ombudsman underlines the importance of the issues raised in our complaint. The Commission’s rushed rollbacks of three key components of the Green Deal – including laws aimed at tackling the environmental and human costs of global value chains – has completely disregarded the rights of both people and the planet."
NGOs have also pointed out the significant political implications of the Omnibus proposal. They added :
“Due to the absence of supporting evidence, stemming from the lack of impact assessments and from a process deeply tainted by corporate capture, the Commission is preventing policymakers in the Council and the European Parliament from being fully informed about the consequences of their votes on climate, the environment, human rights, and therefore the overall economy. This undermines the democratic legitimacy of the Commission and poses serious challenges to the rule of law."
The EU Ombudsman's decision is especially timely, as key discussions on the Omnibus package are scheduled to take place in COREPER this Friday.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Over the past months, NGOs, Trade Unions and businesses have actively opposed the European Commission's "Omnibus" proposal. Several companies have urged the Commission to keep the current rules in place. The companies described investment and competitiveness as “founded on policy certainty and legal predictability.”
In February 2025, ClientEarth’s lawyers criticised the proposal for significantly weakening corporate responsibility by limiting due diligence to direct business partners and diluting climate transition plan obligations. The proposal equally drew criticism for weakening corporate action addressing modern slavery in global supply chains. In response to the Omnibus proposal, more than 362 civil society organisations sent a joint statement urging the European Parliament and Council to reject the proposed amendments, emphasizing that they erode corporate accountability commitments and diminish human rights and environmental protections.
Despite these concerns, the Commission proceeded with the proposal, which is now under consideration by the European Parliament and the Council. In March, the Council agreed on the proposal to delay the implementation of the CSDDD, and on April 3, 2025, the European Parliament followed suit, granting lawmakers additional time to renegotiate the instrument.
As a result, a coalition of eight NGOs lodged a complaint with the European Ombudsman on April 18.
Last year, ClientEarth also filed two other complaints against the EU Commission’s undemocratic processes to the EU Ombudsman: Commission's "anti-democratic" CAP revision escalated to EU Ombudsman and Ombudsman opens inquiry after EU trashes wolf protections.
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for – and with – its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account, and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. From our offices in Europe, Asia and the USA we shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.
About Anti-Slavery International
Anti-Slavery International is one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations. With our roots in an organisation founded in 1839, we have a long track record of challenging slavery in all its forms. Today, we exist to ensure all people, everywhere, are free from slavery. We challenge modern forms of slavery wherever they exist by tackling the root causes of slavery and creating lasting freedom for all.
We work in partnership with survivors, businesses and grassroots organisations to deliver projects that challenge the root causes of modern slavery. We do this by pushing for legal protections for people, making sure people know their rights and making the problem of, and solutions to, modern slavery much better understood by everyone.
About Clean Clothes Campaign
Clean Clothes Campaign is the garment's industry oldest and largest alliance of labour unions and non-governmental organisations, counting more than 230 members in over 45 countries.
Through our Urgent Appeal system we offer direct solidarity support to workers fighting against specific worker rights violations. We also collaborate with workers to co-develop global campaigns on achieving systemic goals like the payment of living wages and the eradication of gender based violence in the workplace. To ensure the fundamental rights of workers are respected we educate and mobilise consumers and we lobby companies and governments at a regional and national scale. All members, partners and associates of CCC are dedicated to empowering workers to improve the working conditions of the global garment and sportswear industries.
About ECCJ
The European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ) is the largest civil society network devoted to corporate accountability, gathering more than 480 NGOs, trade unions and academic institutions throughout Europe to develop a common vision and approach to the issue. ECCJ currently has 20 members including national coalitions, national chapters from Amnesty International and Oxfam, and international organisations like Friends of the Earth Europe and FIDH. We draw on their expertise and experience and provide a united voice.
About Friends of the Earth Europe
Friends of the Earth Europe is the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe, uniting more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups. We are the European arm of Friends of the Earth International. We represent the network at the heart of the European Union and campaign for sustainable solutions to benefit the planet, people and our future.
About Global Witness
Global Witness is an investigative, campaigning organisation. We expose how the industries fuelling the climate crisis profit from destruction, and stand with the people fighting back to defend their communities and their rights. Using cutting-edge investigative methods, we shine a light on the financial and political systems that enable corporate abuses of power that harm people and planet. We work with the people who are directly impacted to ensure they are protected from threats when speaking out, and included in climate decision-making as the world transitions to clean energy.
About Notre Affaire à Tous
Launched in 2015, Notre Affaire à Tous is an association that uses the law as a strategic lever in the fight against the triple environmental crises - climate, biodiversity, pollution. It defends a vision of law in favour of social justice and the primary communities concerned. Through a network of mobilised citizens, Notre Affaire à Tous works to push back the frontiers of the law in favour of a democratic system that protects life and fundamental rights.
About T&E
T&E (Transport & Environment) is a Federation of European NGOs that advocates for the decarbonisation of the transport and energy sectors. Our vision is a zero-emission mobility system that is affordable, circular and has minimal impacts on our health, climate and environment. To achieve this, for over 30 years we have been working to shape key EU environmental laws.