Supply chain regulations have become an increasingly important business consideration for European SMEs operating in China. In the EU, legislation such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Forced Labour Regulation have introduced new requirements regarding due diligence, transparency and traceability across supply chains. In China, developments in export control, data security, cybersecurity and anti-foreign sanctions legislation are shaping the conditions under which supply chain information can be collected, processed, stored and shared.
For European SMEs, the challenge, beyond understanding individual legislative requirements, lies in navigating between two distinct regulatory frameworks in their day-to-day operations. This includes identifying and assessing suppliers, reviewing contractual arrangements, ensuring adequate audit and traceability mechanisms, managing cross-border data transfers, and preparing for potential supply chain disruptions.
On 10 December, the EU SME Centre and European Chamber South China Chapter invite SMEs to a workshop that will address the following questions:
Which rules apply to us in the EU’s and China’s supply chain regulatory framework, and on what timeline?
How can a small team assess its suppliers and supply chain risks in a proportionate way?
What due diligence, documentation and traceability clauses should be built into supplier agreements?
How can compliance information be shared across borders while respecting China’s data and cybersecurity requirements?
How should we prepare for disruption, export controls or sanctions exposure?
This workshop will be conducted in English. It is open, free of charge, to all European small and medium-sized businesses, business support organisations, and other stakeholders from EU Member States and countries participating in the Single Market Programme. Delivered in a hybrid format, the session will include an update on the regulatory frameworks in the EU and in China, a practical case sharing from companies established in South China, and a 25-minute Q&A session.
Agenda
Thursday 10 December (China Standard Time – CST)
15:30–16:00
Registration at the venue For onsite participants in Guangzhou
16:00–16:05
Opening remarks Introduction to the EU SME Centre’s activities
16:05–16:35
CSDDD and the Forced Labour Regulation – What European SMEs Need to Know Ryan Foo, Senior Technical Manager, Carbon and Environmental Services, TÜV Rheinland Greater China
16:35–17:05
China’s Supply Chain Law and Regulation – Risks and Compliance for EU SMEs Daisy Yang, Chair of the SME Forum, European Chamber South China Chapter
Ryan specialises in sustainability and supply chain audits. He has more than 10 years of relevant professional experience, assisting clients in many aspects of sustainability management and reporting including generation of ESG reports, life cycle assessment, ESG best practices sharing and peer gap analysis. – Assisting clients to improve ESG indexes, including CDP, S&P Global ESG, EcoVadis, MSCI – Supporting clients on HKEX’s ESG reporting – Supporting client’s Science Based target setting (SBTi) project – Environmental and social impact analysis, including identifying most material impacts and approaches for quantification – Capacity building and strategy formulation support based on TCFD recommendations – Implemented and rolled out sustainability data management system to Hong Kong MTR, HK Electric, CLP, Singapore CDL and Keppel Land using GRI’s indicators and UN SDGs. – Worked with property investment company to develop sustainability property guide and identify the relevant energy, water, waste and indoor air quality metrics. – GRI trainer and participated in GRI 3.1 guidelines Chinese translation.
Daisy Yang
European Chamber South China SME Forum Chair
Daisy is an attorney at law with a focus on international corporate clients. Having lived in Tianjin, Shanghai, Hong Kong and currently in Shenzhen, she has gained extensive experience in corporate law, labour law, outbound and inbound investment, etc. She has helped numerous companies expand their businesses to China and overseas, as well as grow in the local markets.
Throughout her career, she has gained experience both in the manufacturing sector and the professional consulting industry. The combination of mixed backgrounds has allowed her to understand both sides and support her clients more efficiently.
She has been serving as the Chair of SME Forum of the European Chamber of Commerce South China Chapter since March 2023.
