Due Diligence and Environmental Damages Under Rome II

Abstract

Within the European Union, the Rome II Regulation determines the applicable law on cross-border matters of non-contractual nature. The paper examines the applicable law on environmental-related tort claims against European multi-national companies utilizing production facilities in third countries, either based on active misconduct or on alleged omission of environment-related due diligence. As these types of claims are an expression of misconduct by multinational corporations conducting business abroad, particular notice will be given to the applicable law on compensation claims for environmental damages allegedly caused by negligent compliance for environmental standards of either independent or subsidiary production facilities. While doing so, its main point of interest will be whether claims against European-based companies may be governed by the law of the effective seat of the latter. Considering that Article 7 Rome II provides for a special connecting factor regarding environmental damages, the paper examines whether Rome II does justice for due diligence-related cases on the conflict of laws level and argues for a nuanced approach to localize the place of the event giving rise to such damages. Private International Law, Environmental Damages, Civil Compensation, Torts, Corporate Social Responsibility, Rome II, Mandatory Rules, Public policy