In each issue of Swedish Chamber Insights, readers will have the opportunity to get to know one of our members better. This month, we spoke with Nathalie Vennik, Business and Human Rights Consultant, to explore Enact’s efforts in advancing sustainability.
Enact is a values-driven international business advisory firm dedicated to fostering sustainability and positive impact. With offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Milan, and Shanghai, we are well-positioned to assist organisations worldwide. Our comprehensive services include strategy and implementation, sustainability reporting, engagement training and networks, sustainability due diligence, human rights advisory, and guidance on global compliance and complex markets. We tailor solutions to meet our clients’ unique needs, ensuring both compliance and lasting value creation.
For those who are new to Enact, could you provide a brief introduction to the company and its services?
Enact is an international advisory firm committed to driving sustainability and positive impact. With a presence in multiple global locations, including Amsterdam, we offer a range of services around sustainability with a specific focus on sustainability due diligence, human rights advisory, and support in social sustainability compliance and navigating these topics in complex markets. Our approach is to customize solutions that not only ensure compliance but also create enduring value for our clients and workers in their operations and supply chains.
How does Enact leverage its Swedish roots and expertise in sustainability to address unique challenges faced by businesses in the Netherlands, particularly in adapting to EU regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)?
Rooted in Sweden’s strong tradition of sustainability and corporate responsibility, Enact brings a wealth of experience to assist Dutch businesses in navigating the complexities of EU regulations, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Our deep understanding of these directives enables us to guide companies through the intricacies of compliance, helping them identify and mitigate risks related to human rights and environmental impacts within their supply chains. By tailoring our strategies to the specific contexts of Dutch enterprises, we ensure they not only meet regulatory requirements but also enhance their sustainability performance and competitive advantage.
How does Enact help clients measure the impact of their sustainability initiatives, particularly in terms of human rights and social responsibility, and what metrics or tools do you use to evaluate success?
At Enact, we assist clients in assessing the effectiveness of their sustainability initiatives by developing customised frameworks that focus on human rights and social responsibility. We employ a variety of tools and metrics, including sustainability reporting standards, due diligence assessments and impact assessments on the ground, to evaluate performance. Our approach involves setting clear benchmarks, conducting thorough impact analyses, and providing actionable insights to drive continuous improvement. This comprehensive evaluation not only ensures compliance but also fosters meaningful progress in our clients’ sustainability journeys as well as for workers in their supply chains.
As sustainability continues to evolve, what emerging trends or technologies in sustainability consulting do you believe will have the most significant impact on companies in the coming years, and how can they prepare to leverage these developments effectively?
The sustainability landscape is evolving quickly. Driven in large part by tightening legislation, especially in the European Union. New rules are emerging around corporate reporting, due diligence, and trade restrictions tied to human rights issues. These legislative changes are prompting a surge in projects aimed at ensuring compliance. Companies are increasingly seeking support for gap analyses to assess their readiness for upcoming laws, policy development and process improvements related to due diligence and digital tools to collect and manage data for sustainability reporting.
In parallel, import bans like the U.S. Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and the EU’s Forced Labour Regulation are raising the bar on supply chain accountability. To meet these demands, a growing suite of AI-driven technology is helping organisations boost transparency and traceability across their global operations.
Companies can prepare by closely monitoring the developments, and work towards alignment with international standards – such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. Collaborating with advisors such as Enact can also provide the necessary expertise to navigate and stay ahead of these developments.
What upcoming events in the Swedish Chamber calendar are you most excited to attend, or perhaps organise, and who do you hope to meet there?
We are particularly looking forward to the Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Sustainability Breakfast on April 15, 2025, at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague. This exclusive event brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and academics from Sweden and the Netherlands to discuss sustainable business practices and environmental leadership. We anticipate engaging with key stakeholders who are passionate about driving sustainability and exploring collaborative opportunities to further our shared goals.
Connect with Enact by connecting with them on LinkedIn or visiting their website!
Do you want to get to know more Swedish Chamber members? Read about Fagerhult, IPscreener, and team5pm.
