Usanee Aimsiranun

Associate Prof. Dr.

Faculty of Law, Chiang Mai University

The “Sustainable Development Chapters (TSD Chapters)” have been a feature in the EU’s new generation FTA, as a policy tool to promote sustainable trade and investment which respects social and environment standards. The EU has nonetheless been criticised for opting for a soft enforcement mechanism entailing doubt about its seriousness to ensure compliance with sustainable commitments.

This article examines the recent proposal of the Commission in the Communication entitled “The power of trade partnerships: together for green and just economic growth” to move towards strengthening the enforcement of TSD chapters of the EU's trade agreements and assesses its implications for EU’s partners.

Keywords: Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD), labour standards, enforcement