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The challenges of upward regulatory harmonization: The case of sustainability reporting in the European Union

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  • Daniel Kinderman

Abstract

What are the prospects for the upward harmonization of regulatory standards, and why do governments support or oppose more stringent supranational regulation? To answer these questions, this paper examines an important case of upward regulatory harmonization, the European Union's non‐financial disclosure Directive 2014/95/EU, which requires large firms to report on their social, environmental, and human rights impacts. In spite of favorable circumstances, the Directive's opponents watered down the Commission's proposal during the course of the negotiations. Upward regulatory harmonization is difficult because of the adjustment costs it imposes on the private sector. The paper provides an in‐depth analysis of countries’ positions in the negotiations: Germany was the most hardline opponent, France the strongest supporter, and the United Kingdom was somewhere in‐between. For most countries, private sector adjustment costs determine government support and opposition for upward harmonization at the supranational level, but the analysis shows that partisan politics and varieties of capitalism also matter.

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  • Daniel Kinderman, 2020. "The challenges of upward regulatory harmonization: The case of sustainability reporting in the European Union," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(4), pages 674-697, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:reggov:v:14:y:2020:i:4:p:674-697
    DOI: 10.1111/rego.12240
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mathieu Dufour, 2023. "Trade Policy and Ecological Transition," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(1), pages 214-222.
    2. Enying Zheng & Wenjie Liao & Yan Xing & Jiajia Zheng, 2023. "Institutionalizing corporate social responsibility disclosure: Historical webpages of the Fortune global 500 companies, 1997–2009," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 661-676, March.

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