Regulation banning products manufactured using forced labour

The EU is planning to introduce a regulation to ban products manufactured using forced labour. This legal step is intended to prevent trade in goods produced in violation of fundamental human rights within the EU market borders. In this respect, the project complements the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and other international legal acts for the protection of human rights in the supply chain.

Internationally active companies with supply obligations to the USA must take particular account of the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA), which aims to prevent the import of products associated with forced labour by Uyghurs and also applies even if only preliminary products were manufactured in the Xinjiang region. The proposed EU regulation is broader in scope, but is also primarily aimed at the situation in the Xinjiang region.

For companies, this means increasing the transparency and control of their supply chains. This includes carrying out detailed risk analyses to identify potential links to forced labour. Furthermore, regular due diligence checks and continuous monitoring of suppliers are required to ensure compliance with human rights standards. Companies should also invest in training their staff to raise awareness of the risks and impacts of forced labour.

Compliance with this new legal framework thus requires a proactive approach from companies - comparable to the requirements under the LkSG, but with a broader scope of application, as there are to be no thresholds for the application of the regulation, but all companies are affected.

Our offer for you

Our experts from the Green Trade Team have closely followed the development process of the draft regulation to ban products manufactured using forced labour and will keep you up to date on the latest developments. Our advice covers not only the phase following the adoption of the regulation, but also the comprehensive preparation for its implementation. We offer companies customised solutions and strategic advice to meet the requirements of this regulation. We look beyond national and European regulations: by working with international partner law firms, we can offer a comprehensive legal framework that takes into account the requirements of other EU member states as well as those of third countries. Our aim is to provide your company with the best possible support in adapting to the new legal requirements and to ensure that your supply chains are free from forced labour.