The European Parliament took a significant step on Tuesday by approving rules to ban the sale, import, and export of goods made using forced labor within the EU. This decision was driven by concerns over human rights violations in the Chinese region of Xinjiang, where reports of abuses against Uyghur Muslims have been widespread.
The move follows a similar law enacted by the United States in 2021 to prevent products tainted by human rights abuses in Xinjiang from entering its market. China, a major cotton producer and supplier of materials for solar panels, has denied allegations of abuses in the region.
Under the new rules, national authorities in the 27-country bloc or the executive Commission will have the power to investigate suspicious goods, supply chains, and manufacturers. If a product is found to have been made using forced labor, it will be prohibited from being sold in the EU market, and shipments will be intercepted at the borders.
Portuguese Member of the Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the Parliament, Maria-Manuel Leitao-Marques, emphasized the importance of the new law, stating that it is a significant achievement for the EU to finally have a mechanism to ban products made with forced labor.
The law was approved by a large majority in the EU Parliament, but it still requires approval from EU countries to come into effect. Once approved, EU countries will have three years to start implementing the new regulations. This development marks a crucial step in the EU’s efforts to combat human rights abuses and ensure ethical practices in global supply chains.