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5.31. On 23 February 2022, the Commission adopted a legislative proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. The aim of this Directive is to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour and to anchor human rights and environmental considerations in companies' operations and corporate governance. (...)

5.34. All modern EU trade agreements include Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapters with a broad set of mutually agreed commitments based on international labour and environmental standards. In June 2021, the Commission launched an in-depth review with the objective of strengthening the ability of trade agreements as a whole – including their TSD chapters – to champion sustainable trade, in cooperation with trade partners and in concert with other relevant EU policy instruments, including the European Green Deal. The Communication "The power of trade partnerships: together for green and just economic growth" of 22 June 2022 sets out this enhanced approach to sustainability in the EU trade agreements. (...)

5.35. In addition to TSD [Trade and Sustainable Development] chapters, the sustainability dimension will continue to be reflected also in other aspects of the EU's trade and investment agreements. They support the diffusion of clean and more efficient production methods and technologies, including promoting trade in green goods and services, supporting the transition to climate neutral economies, or the transition to sustainable food systems by proposing to the FTAs partners to include a new Sustainable Food Systems chapter.

5.39. The Commission adopted on 10 March 2020 a new SME strategy, which builds on policy initiatives, such as the 2008 Small Business Act and the Competitiveness for Small and Medium Enterprises (COSME) programme. [67] (...)
[67] The actions of the strategy are focused on three pillars: 1) supporting SMEs in their green and digital transition, (...)

6.1. (...) In a world of geopolitical, economic and environmental transition, the EU's openness to trade and investment must be coupled with its ability to effectively defend its interests and enforce its rights, notably with a view to ensuring a level playing field both within the EU and globally. This includes our renewed multilateral and bilateral agenda as well as making the best use of existing rules and structures around the newly created Chief Trade Enforcement Officer (CTEO) and closing the gap in our toolbox for dealing with new challenges, including competitive distortions (as well as sustainability and security concerns). (...)

6.3. On 24 July 2020, the European Commission created the position of a Chief Trade Enforcement Officer who steers and coordinates all EU actions in relation to the implementation and enforcement of the EU's trade policy, both for issues related to market access and for issues of non-compliance with sustainability commitments by the EU's trading partners.

6.5. On 16 November 2020, the European Commission launched the Single Entry Point (SEP) as a first point of contact for EU-based stakeholders wishing to launch complaints on potential trade barriers or breaches by trading partners of their sustainability commitments. The SEP aims to ensure effective coordination and follow-up to the trade-related complaints brought by EU stakeholders.

6.14. (...) State aid decisions amounts, beneficiaries, objectives and aid instruments are collected and published centrally in the EU State aid scoreboard. Several EU State aid guidelines have been reviewed and updated in 2020-2021. The periodical updates are intended to ensure that the guidelines continue to reflect economic and policy developments, such as the EU Green Deal. (...)

6.16. Industrial policies, including increased subsidisation, have become more prominent around the world, including in the EU, (...) to address more structural challenges such as the green transition. (...)

7.9. By way of derogation, the competent authorities of a Member State may authorise some of the activities covered by sanctions (i.e., imports, transport, services) if they have determined that it is necessary for humanitarian purposes. Among others this may include goods for humanitarian purposes, health emergencies, the urgent prevention or mitigation of an event likely to have a serious and significant impact on human health and safety or the environment, or as a response to natural disasters and this may include goods for medical or pharmaceutical purposes.