SLAEA hosts high-level forum on EU CSDDD: Strengthening sustainable trade through compliance and collaboration

THE Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) hosted a high-level industry forum on 9 July at the Jetwing Hotel in Colombo 7, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore the growing relevance of the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

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Designed to strengthen awareness and preparedness, the session focused on the far-reaching implications of the directive for Sri Lanka's export economy — particularly in key sectors such as apparel, tea, and rubber.

The forum attracted participation from apparel manufacturers, consultants, legal experts, public sector representatives, and exporters across multiple industries like tea and rubber. It featured keynote insights from Deputy Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka Lars Bredal, and governance specialist Shyamali Ranaraja, alongside a panel of sector leaders including EFC Director General Vajira Ellepola, Consultant Sustainable Business Eranthi Premaratne, TrusTrace Chief Product Officer Mahesh Yellai, and Moderator, MAS Holdings Manager Supply chain and Strategy Development Navindu Munidasa.

Opening the session, SLAEA Chairperson Rajitha Jayasuriya welcomed participants and outlined the importance of the discussion. “This session was initiated by the apparel industry, but its intent extends far beyond the apparel sector,” she stated. “The CSDDD represents more than a regulatory shift. It marks a new chapter in how international trade will be shaped and governed.”