Forced Labour Regulation

In September 2022 the European Commission published a proposal to prohibit the import and circulation in the EU market of products made with forced labour. In early 2024 a political agreement was reached between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union which resulted in a final text, expected to be formally adopted in the second half of 2024.

The regulation will apply to all products, and it will prohibit companies operating in the EU market to import, sell and export goods which have forced labour in their value chains.

National and EU-level authorities will monitor and enforce compliance with the regulation by conducting investigations in cases where there is a likelihood that a product is made with forced labour, and by sanctioning non-complying companies.

When competent authorities find that a product is indeed made with forced labour, then ban its import, sale and export. Thereafter, companies must withdraw the relevant product from the market. If necessary, the competent authorities can administer a fine to non-complying companies.