Context
The implementation of human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) remains a major challenge for companies, particularly in critical raw material (CRM) value chains that span multiple tiers and jurisdictions. Despite the emergence of regulatory frameworks such as the EU Critical Raw Materials Act and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), many companies still face uncertainty about how to operationalize due diligence in a coherent, efficient, and effective way. This uncertainty has been further amplified by recent developments linked to the EU Omnibus package, which introduced delays and adjustments to several legislative files, creating a moving target for corporate compliance efforts.
DiliCHANCE, a Horizon Europe project, is designed to support companies in navigating this complex landscape. It takes a three-pronged approach, focusing on tools, business practices, and assurance mechanisms, and aims to foster meaningful improvement in due diligence performance across raw materials supply chains. One of the objectives of the project is to identify gaps in corporate due diligence practices, along with the related bottlenecks and operational needs. These insights serve as the foundation for the development of targeted, practice-oriented solutions. One such solution is the Due Diligence One-Stop-Shop Navigator—an integrated digital tool designed to support companies in understanding, assessing, and enhancing their due diligence frameworks.
The DiliCHANCE project is funded by the European Union. WRFA has received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) to participate in this project
Purpose and Goals
This session at WRF25 will serve three key purposes:
- Validate the project’s ongoing gap assessment by engaging directly with practitioners, ensuring that the insights findings accurately reflect the realities on the ground
- Understand companies’ challenges, needs and priorities in meeting due diligence and regulatory requirements. This includes exploring practical barriers they face, such as data gaps, supplier engagement, traceability, and cost as well as identifying what kind of tools, guidance, or policy support would be most useful.
- Launch, showcase and gather feedback on the Navigator, exploring how it can be used in practice amidst an evolving regulatory context. The session will support a constructive dialogue on what practical, scalable solutions are needed to close the implementation gap and improve responsible sourcing outcomes.
Topics for Discussion
- What do companies need to implement an effective due diligence process, specially in light of shifting EU policy signals like the Omnibus package?
- How can companies prepare for a regulatory environment that is increasingly ambitious but also uncertain?
- How can the DiliCHANCE Navigator support better decision-making and risk management?
- What are good practices or collaborative approaches that could help scale up meaningful HREDD in mineral value chains?
About the Session
Organized by the DiliCHANCE project, this session at WRF25 explores the challenges of implementing human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) in raw material supply chains.
A panel of experts from different stakeholder groups will share practical insights on navigating evolving EU regulations, engaging suppliers, and scaling responsible sourcing.
Panelists:
Akash Mokhriwale – Global Head of Due-diligence – CHESS, Trafigura
Cecilia Mattea – Regional Lead, Europe, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA)
Louis Marechal – Senior Advisor, Minerals & Extractives, Centre for Responsible Business Conduct, OECD
André Martinuzzi – Director of the Institute for Managing Sustainability, Vienna University of Economics and Business
Moderator:
Angelo Spörk – Project Manager, Vienna University of Economics and Business
