European Parliament rejects fast‑track for Omnibus Requirements proposal
EU Omnibus regulation uncertainty continues
The European Parliament narrowly voted to reject the JURI Committee’s procedural mandate to proceed directly to trilogue negotiations on the Omnibus Requirements proposal, which would amend the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The secret vote result was 318 against, 309 in favour, and 34 abstentions, overturning JURI’s 13 October decision to bypass a full plenary debate.
The rejection is procedural rather than a final decision on the substance, but it requires the JURI text to be tabled for a full plenary vote, reopening the opportunity for further amendments and shifts in Parliament’s negotiating position. The previously scheduled first trilogue on 24 October must now be postponed and the next parliamentary window in November will be used to resume debate and potentially rework thresholds and scope.
Key procedural and policy elements now back on the table include the employee and revenue thresholds proposed by JURI: CSRD scope at 1,000 employees and €450 million turnover, and CSDDD scope at 5,000 employees and €1.5 billion turnover. Those thresholds may be amended during the plenary process.
Political reactions were sharply divided. Pro‑sustainability MEPs and civil society actors hailed the outcome as an opportunity to prevent deregulation and to strengthen due‑diligence and reporting obligations, arguing that the rejected fast‑track had been shaped by heavy lobbying and undue pressure. Some centre‑right actors had sought the procedural shortcut to secure a compromise; the secret ballot and narrow margin exposed deep splits and left the final Parliament position uncertain.
Negotiations will restart in the upcoming November plenary session, with all major groups able to table amendments. Final agreement before the end of 2025 remains an explicit aim but the delay makes that timetable increasingly challenging.
Sources : Omnibus uncertainty to continue as MEPs reject proposal; EU: Omnibus I Requirements Proposal – Parliamentary vote outcome, James Marlow, Julia Voskoboinikova, Sara Feijao