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Forced labor is a global issue that requires collective action. Find out how the EU is taking steps to combat this problem and learn our compliance tips in our blog post.

Forced labor is a global issue that requires collective action. Find out how the EU is taking steps to combat this problem, and learn our compliance tips in our blog post.

Forced labor is a global issue that requires collective action. Find out how the EU is taking steps to combat this problem and learn our compliance tips in our blog post.

In case you missed in last week, more good news on cleaner supply chains. The European Union announced "an agreement to ban products made with forced labor, a decision that will oblige organizations to track and declare more information about their supply chains for goods entering EU markets. A framework to enforce the ban will give the European Commission new investigatory powers based on technological solutions and cooperation with other authorities and countries." Nick Vyas Soumyo J. Ganguly Sid Vyas

Politico [excerpt]: The #EuropeanUnion is inching toward its first major #law cracking down on goods made with #forcedlabor — but its softer approach compared to Washington risks rendering its measures largely ineffective. Five years after the United States first called on the #EU to properly address documented #humanrights abuses in the Chinese region of #Xinjiang, #Europe is at last finalizing its response, with negotiators scrambling to clinch a final version of a bloc-wide ban on forced labor goods on Monday. “We need to show political and legislative will now and finish this file before the end of the [legislative] term. At least 28 million victims of forced labor cannot wait any longer,” Dutch lawmaker Samira Rafaela told POLITICO. Rafaela, of the liberal Renew group, jointly leads work on the file in the #EuropeanParliament. The new rules — proposed by the #EuropeanCommission in September 2022 — would empower customs authorities in EU countries to take products off the market if they are found to have been made using forced labor. Largely targeting #China, they respond to a growing body of evidence that Beijing is using forced labor and mass internment camps to control the #Uyghur ethnic group in Xinjiang. Up to 1.5 million Uyghurs are believed to have been interned in Xinjiang, where a paramilitary unit — which researchers have referred to as a colonial agency — oversees economic output as well as law and order. A report published this month by researcher Adrian Zenz showed that the region continues to subject Uyghurs to forced labor two years after a damning U.N. report detailed the abusive practice. Clamping down on goods made with forced labor, notably from Xinjiang, is intertwined with the bloc’s environmental and human rights priorities. The region in northwestern China is a top supplier of #solarpanels crucial to the transition toward #green energy, and one in five #cotton garments around the globe are estimated to contain fibers from there. ...“The EU is already becoming a dumping ground for forced labor-tainted products,” warned Yalkun Uluyol, a member of a forced labor research group at Sheffield Hallam University. “Companies are making claims about compliance [with U.S. law for goods] that are going to the U.S. market, but they are not making similar commitments or statements for the goods that are going elsewhere, globally, including the EU,” he added. Yet #Brussels’ planned ban — set to be significantly weaker than what Washington has in place — risks only yielding limited success in preventing that from happening. The law is on even shakier ground after another piece of EU legislation viewed as key to fighting forced labor — which would require companies to police their #supplychains for human rights abuses and environmental harms — was all but killed by member countries this week. #news #geopolitics

EU's Bold Framework to Ban Forced Labor Products 🌍 🔗Read More: https://lnkd.in/dBdcxkKQ The European Union has taken a bold step towards eradicating forced labor from the global supply chain with its latest provisional agreement. This groundbreaking legislative move aims to ban the import and export of products created through forced labor, signaling a monumental shift towards ethical trade practices on a global scale. Key Highlights of the Agreement: Comprehensive Ban: A total prohibition on marketing and exporting goods made through forced labor, ensuring a cleaner supply chain. Investigative Framework: Introduction of a risk-based approach for investigating forced labor allegations, complemented by a database to streamline the assessment process. Cross-Border Cooperation: An innovative framework allowing mutual recognition of national decisions across the EU, enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement actions. Support for SMEs: Recognition of the unique challenges faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, with provisions tailored to facilitate compliance without hindering economic viability. Balanced Measures: A nuanced approach towards products partially made with forced labor, focusing on the removal of tainted components, thereby balancing regulatory demands with economic pragmatism. This agreement represents a beacon of hope for the estimated 27.6 million individuals trapped in forced labor worldwide. Engage with Us: Join the conversation on ethical trade practices, share insights, and learn from a community committed to making a difference. Together, we can build a more responsible business future. #EthicalTrade #ForcedLabor #EUGlobalImpact #Sustainability #CorporateResponsibility #HumanRights

🇪🇺 To adapt legislation to new market needs, this week the European Parliament adopted the new Platform Work Directive, during its last Plenary session held in #Strasbourg. The directive aims to protect workers and ensure that their rights are protected. 📚 Find out more in our #PolicyUpdates ⬇️

Late last year, the Internal Market and International Trade committees of the European Parliament advanced a proposal from the European Commission to adopt a forced labor import ban similar to the #UFLPA. We’ve reviewed the latest in forced labor policy changes in Europe and will continue to stay abreast of changes as they come this year. Read our latest blog to learn more of what's to come and how to stay in compliance.

https://lnkd.in/eArx24Sg セミナー動画 This webinar, tailored for Japanese companies operating in Mexico, provides a comprehensive overview of the recent labor reform focusing on labor exploitation. Experts, including Yosuke Nishiyama from Anderson Mori & Tomotsune and the team from Vega Guerrero y Asociados, will discuss key changes in legislation, compliance requirements, and strategies to adapt business practices to ensure ethical standards and legal compliance in Mexico’s evolving labor landscape. #MexicoLaborReform #JapaneseCompanies #BusinessCompliance #LaborExploitation #EthicalStandards #MexicoBusiness #Webinar #LegalInsights #VGA

The pressure on companies importing goods from overseas to document that their supply chains are free from forced labor has never been greater or more essential. Forced labor risks typically arise through the global supply chains of businesses and these issues have attracted increasing scrutiny by a variety of stakeholders: governments, regulators, human rights organizations, investigative journalists, consumers, and investors. In this comprehensive and insightful article (originally published by Bloomberg Tax), Damon V. Pike, examines these risks around the world.