On May 26, the Department of Homeland Security added 26 textiles companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List.
The UFLPA directs the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to develop a strategy for supporting enforcement of the prohibition on the importation of goods into the United States manufactured wholly or in part with forced labor in the People's Republic of China, especially from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, or Xinjiang.
The department said it is focusing on cotton manufacturing which are based outside of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) that source cotton from the XUAR.
“The Department of Homeland Security will not tolerate forced labor in our nation’s supply chains,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas., in a statement “Today's announcement strengthens our enforcement of the UFLPA and helps responsible companies conduct due diligence so that, together, we can keep the products of forced labor out of our country. We will continue to execute on our textile enforcement strategy and hold the PRC accountable for their exploitation and abuse of the Uyghur people.”
Since the UFLPA was signed into law in December 2021, the FLETF has added 65 entities to the UFLPA Entity List. These entities reach into the apparel, agriculture, polysilicon, plastics, chemicals, batteries, household appliances, electronics, and food additives sectors, among others.
The interagency FLETF – which also includes the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Justice, Labor, State, and the Treasury – voted to add the 26 companies to the UFLPA Entity List. This announcement represents the largest ever one-time expansion to the UFLPA Entity List.
Other articles from MH&L on this issue:
Slavery Law Enforcement Get Serious
China Forced Labor Law Deadline Looms
How to Follow the China Slave Labor Act
