Feasibility study for the creation of a public EU rating agency for environmental and social sustainability and human rights in the business context

The report proposes the creation of a Public EU Rating Agency focused on environmental and social sustainability and human rights, aiming to support EU sustainability efforts by setting standards, accrediting auditors, and centralizing data. The Agency would facilitate implementation of key EU legislation like the Green Deal, CSRD, and CSDDD, and help ensure compliance with sector-specific and international frameworks. Functioning as a Decentralized EU Agency, it would prioritize consistent legal application across global value chains without managing EU funds, working through national contact points for training and coordination. Surveyed stakeholders largely support the Agency, favoring a hybrid governance model to balance EU oversight with national engagement. Initial setup costs are estimated at €10 million, with rising operational budgets, and potential integration with an existing agency such as the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights or the European Environment Agency is under consideration.