The French government’s alleged push for comprehensive deregulation of EU corporate sustainability laws, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), is facing strong opposition from NGOs and civil society. Critics argue that it prioritizes business interests over pressing climate and social concerns. France’s proposal to postpone the CSDDD indefinitely and potentially exclude 70% of covered companies raises concerns about the EU’s broader sustainability agenda. Meanwhile, business and human rights experts, civil society organizations and 10 national human rights institutions have warned that such deregulation could lead to legal uncertainty. In contrast, 400 French companies have called on EU politicians to respect existing ESG reporting deadlines.