EU Approves New Rules to Ban Products Made With Forced Labour; China-Produced Goods on Radar

Brussels: In an effort to eliminate bloc’s “links to modern slavery and human rights abuses”, European Parliament on Tuesday approved new rules to ban in EU sale, import and export of goods me using forced labour, Euronews reported.

sweeping new law – applicable to products manufactured anywhere in world – was approved with 555 votes in favour, six voting against it and 45 abstentions, report said, ding that it is being viewed as a “deliberate move” against countries with reported “evidence of state-sponsored forced labour”.

Why Are New Rules Approved by European Parliament Important?

• Under new rules – expected to come into force in 2027 – member state authorities and European Commission would be able to launch formal investigations into suspicious goods, supply chains, and manufacturers with suspected links to forced labour.
• If a product is deemed to have been me using forced labour, it will no longer be possible to sell it on EU market (including online) and shipments will be intercepted at EU’s borders.
• Manufacturers of banned goods will have to withdraw ir products from EU single market and donate, recycle or destroy m. 
• Non-compliant companies could be fined, and goods may be allowed back on EU single market once company eliminates forced labour from its supply chains.

move, a Reuters report said, was driven by EU lawmakers concerned about human rights in Xinjiang, a region where China is believed to be committing atrocities against Uyghur Muslims.

"Today, worldwide, 28 million people are trapped in hands of human traffickers and states who force m to work for little or no pay. Europe cannot export its values while importing products me with forced labour. fact that EU finally has a law to ban se products is one of biggest achievements of this mandate," Maria-Manuel Leitao-Marques, a Portuguese Member of Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in Parliament, h said.

Chinese government has denied any abuses in Xinjiang, which is a major producer of cotton and a key supplier of materials for solar panels.

As EU Approves New Rules, What's Next?

• text of new regulations has to now get a final formal approval from EU Council to come into effect.
• It will n be published in Official Journal. 
• EU countries will n have to start applying law within three years.

Background

According to Euronews, EU bill – first tabled by Commission in September 2022 – has faced several hurdles and delays. A speedy deal, however, was finalised between parliament and EU capitals in early March, allowing for new rules to get a green signal during this week’s final sitting before European elections begin in June.