European Parliament approves groundbreaking legislation to ban forced labour products
The European Parliament has taken the final step in approving a landmark piece of legislation: the Forced Labour Corrigendum. Signed by the President of the European Parliament, this new law bans products made using forced labour, ensuring that consumers in the EU can trust the goods they purchase are produced in compliance with international labour conventions.
According to the International Labour Organization, 28 million people worldwide are currently subjected to forced labour. This staggering figure underscores the urgent need for the European Union to address this global issue with a robust legal framework.
The new legislation establishes a comprehensive procedure for investigating and addressing suspected forced labour practices. Competent authorities, including the European Commission and national agencies, will launch investigations into products suspected of being made with forced labour. If such suspicions are confirmed, the products will be prohibited from entering or being exported from the EU. Items already available on the market must be removed, and economic operators failing to comply will face sanctions.
The regulation applies to all goods made available in the EU market, encompassing domestically manufactured and imported products, regardless of sector or industry. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also included to ensure broad and effective implementation.
In a significant victory for the Renew Europe political group, the European Commission will be designated as a competent authority alongside national bodies. This dual responsibility grants the Commission the power to investigate cases of suspected forced labour and a coordinating role to enhance cross-border cooperation.
Renew MEP Samira Rafaela (Independent, Netherlands), EP co-rapporteur, hailed the legislation as a major advancement in human rights:
“This law is groundbreaking in the field of human rights. It will prevent forced labour products from entering our market and includes several references to remediation. It is a step forward in achieving fair trade and cleaning up supply chains while prioritizing human rights. To combat forced and state-imposed labour, we must work with like-minded partners and become a strong ally in the global fight against forced labour.”
The regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will take effect the day after its publication. It will be fully applicable three years after that date, allowing businesses time to adapt to the new requirements.
This legislation represents a critical step in the EU’s efforts to protect human rights, ensure fair trade, and strengthen the global fight against forced labour.