The European Parliament and European Council have reached a provisional agreement on a new regulation that would ban products made with forced labor from the European Union (EU) market. The new regulation is meant to create a structure for enforcing this ban, including investigations, IT solutions, and cooperation with other authorities and countries.
The EU Commissions Plan
- Draw up a list of specific economic sectors in specific geographical areas where state-imposed forced labor exists.
- Establish a database containing verifiable information in real time about forced labor risks, including reports from international organizations.
- Identify product groups for which importers and exporters must submit extra details to EU customs, such as manufacturer and supplier information.
Under this plan, if forced labor is eliminated from a company’s supply chain then the banned products can be allowed back on the market. The regulation is pending final approval for publication in the Official Journal. Once finalized, EU countries will have three years to eliminate forced labor from their supply chains. Businesses that do not comply can be fined.
By Clarissa Chiclana