“EU: New Law Requires Companies to Tackle Forced Labor”

The European Union’s new Forced Labor Regulation will require companies to identify and eliminate forced labor in their operations and supply chains, Human Rights Watch and the Cornell Global Labor Institute (GLI) said today, releasing a question-and-answer document about the new law.

The question-and-answer document provides details and guidance to companies and other stakeholders so that they can begin preparing for the implementation of the EU Regulation, which will prohibit the sale in EU markets of all products linked to forced labor as of December 2027….

"The EU Forced Labor Regulation can end the economic incentives that allow forced labor to persist by imposing significant financial and reputational risks for companies that fail to prevent abuses,” said Samira Rafaela, visiting fellow at Cornell GLI and former member of the European Parliament and co-rapporteur of the Forced Labor Regulation. “Ultimately, it is a significant step toward meaningful supply chain reform…

The EU Regulation, if properly enforced, will prompt companies to eradicate forced labor from their operations and supply chains, Human Rights Watch and GLI said…

The EU Regulation sets up rules and processes for the European Commission and national competent authorities to ban products wholly or partially made with forced labor from being sold in the EU…