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Corporate Law Measures to Promote the Competitiveness of the Slovenian Economy in Relation to Compliance with International Human Rights and Environmental Treaties and the Fight against Climate Change

(No. V5-2514)

ARIS Project ID: V5-2514
Project Duration: 1 September 2025 – 30 August 2026
Project Leader: Dr. Rado Bohinc
Project Coordinator: Legal Institute, ZRS Koper

The Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) is proud to be a full partner in the newly awarded National Target Research Project (CRP) titled “Corporate Law Measures to Promote the Competitiveness of the Slovenian Economy in Relation to Compliance with International Human Rights and Environmental Treaties and the Fight against Climate Change.”

Project V5-2514 is co-funded by the Public Agency for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia (ARIS) and the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport (METS).

Project Overview

This National Target Research Project explores the integration of sustainable development principles into corporate law. Its primary objective is to develop legally sound mechanisms for implementing Directive (EU) 2024/1760 – the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) within the Slovenian legal framework and to evaluate its implications for the competitiveness of Slovenian enterprises.

The project will generate expert-based legal and policy proposals for incorporating due diligence obligations, corporate liability, and sustainability management provisions into the Companies Act (ZGD-1) or for drafting a new, comprehensive legislative instrument. The outcomes aim to enhance legal predictability, ensure alignment with EU law, and support the long-term competitiveness of the Slovenian economy.

Work Undertaken in the First Phase

In the initial work package, the project team conducted an in-depth analysis of the core legal concepts of corporate sustainability responsibility in international and European law, including definitions of key terms such as due diligence, value chain liability, and human rights.

We examined the evolution of corporate sustainability governance in the EU, with particular attention to the CSDDD, and analysed its potential implications for Slovenian legislation and practice. In parallel, we assessed current legal, economic, and policy challenges influencing the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy considering international human rights and environmental obligations, as well as global climate action efforts.

Project Objectives

The project’s central goals focus on developing coherent, practical, and legally feasible solutions for embedding sustainable business principles into the Slovenian corporate legal system, particularly in connection with the CSDDD and relevant international commitments. The key objectives include:

  • Legal analysis of the normative foundations for transposing the CSDDD into Slovenian law, considering the current Companies Act (ZGD-1) and the experience gained from implementing the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) through the Amendment to the Companies Act (ZGD-1M).
  • Assessment of the adequacy of the existing legal framework, including the potential to incorporate due diligence, sustainability risk management, and corporate responsibility obligations—while evaluating whether to amend the current act or adopt a new, dedicated law.
  • Development of initial normative proposals addressing the duty of care, potential forms of legal liability, and basic supervisory mechanisms.
  • Comparative legal analysis of selected EU Member States (and, where relevant, third countries) to identify best practices transferable to the Slovenian context.
  • Expert support for legislative processes, enhancing understanding of how sustainable corporate governance influences economic competitiveness and ensuring that future legal solutions remain proportionate, predictable, and systemically coherent.

 

EMUNI’s Role

EMUNI plays a pivotal role in synthesizing research findings and preparing legislative recommendations in close collaboration with ZRS Koper. The university is also responsible for producing the final project reports and leading dissemination activities to ensure maximum visibility and policy impact.

This includes managing communication strategies, coordinating outreach to relevant stakeholders, and promoting the project’s findings across academic, professional, and policy networks at both national and international levels.

Project Consortium

  • Science and Research Centre Koper (ZRS Koper) – Project Coordinator
  • Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI University) – Partner
  • University of Maribor, Faculty of Economics and Business (EPF UM) – Partner

Funding Institution: Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport (under the CRP 2025 Programme)

Project Timeline

  • Start: September 2025
  • End: August 2026
  • Duration: 12 months

 

Key Work Packages

  • WP1 (Sep–Oct 2025): Theoretical and normative framework of corporate sustainability responsibility (ZRS Koper)
  • WP2–WP4 (Nov 2025–Mar 2026): Comparative analysis of foreign regulations, review of Slovenian legislation, and assessment of economic impacts (EPF UM)
  • WP5–WP6 (Apr–Jun 2026): Synthesis and drafting of legislative recommendations (EMUNI, ZRS Koper)
  • WP7 (Jul–Aug 2026): Final reporting and dissemination of results (EMUNI)