8 NGOs Challenge European Commission Over Undemocratic ‘Omnibus’ Process

Brussels – A coalition of eight prominent Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) has lodged a formal complaint with the European Ombudsman, criticizing the European Commission’s handling of the Omnibus proposal, which they claim was rushed, opaque, and undemocratic.

These NGOs argue that the European Commission hastily developed the Omnibus proposal using non-transparent procedures that sidelined democratic accountability. They allege the EU executive failed to include proper impact assessments and bypassed public participation, prioritizing corporate interests over meaningful environmental and human rights protections.

The coalition contends that only a narrow group of industrial stakeholders had influence over the proposal’s development, leading to the weakening of crucial EU sustainability legislation.

What is the Omnibus proposal by the European Commission?

Unveiled in February 2024, the Omnibus plan seeks to modify existing EU sustainability regulations by exempting small European companies from certain reporting obligations under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and reducing due diligence requirements for larger firms regarding human rights and environmental standards in their supply chains.

The plan directly affects key legislative measures including the CSRD, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Taxonomy Regulation — all central to the EU’s broader Green Deal agenda.

According to various media reports, the Commission held closed-door meetings with oil companies such as Eni, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies, alongside other industrial interests, prior to unveiling the Omnibus plan. The group of NGOs behind the complaint includes major advocacy organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and Human Rights Watch.

Which 8 NGOs filed the complaint?

The following NGOs submitted a joint complaint to the European Ombudsman in opposition to the Omnibus proposal:

1. Anti-Slavery International
2. Clean Clothes Campaign
3. ClientEarth
4. European Coalition for Corporate Justice
5. Friends of the Earth Europe
6. Global Witness
7. Notre Affaire À Tous
8. Transport and Environment (T&E)

What are the NGOs’ primary concerns?

In a joint statement, the NGOs emphasized their opposition to what they described as an “assault on three cornerstone regulations of the Green Deal.” They argue that the Commission’s approach disregards both human rights and environmental considerations, and was conducted with no public input or substantive impact evaluations.

“The Omnibus plan was devised without any public participation, with little evidence or environmental and social impact evaluations, and a major focus on limited industrial interests. This careless decision not only undermines sustainability laws but also decreases public faith in the EU’s democratic principles,”

They further warn that the plan runs counter to the EU’s environmental and democratic values and could undermine both economic stability and long-term competitiveness. The group insists that strong sustainability legislation like the CSRD and CSDDD is vital for maintaining Europe’s global competitiveness in a market increasingly driven by ethical consumer and investor expectations.

They stated, “The European Commission is disregarding both evidence and science; this so-called simplification does not improve competitiveness. Robust sustainability regulations are essential to ensure EU companies lead in responsible global practices. Weakening such standards would be a step backward.”

Key Allegations Made by the NGOs

The NGOs’ main allegations against the European Commission include:

• Failure to properly assess the environmental and social implications of the proposed changes to laws protecting citizens in the EU and globally.
• Conducting private consultations