Businesses must combat forced labour in their supply chain

What changes?

Are you an entrepreneur and do you import or export goods? From 2027 on you will have to take the Forced Labour Regulation (FLR) into account. This EU Regulation prohibits the offering, selling, or exporting of goods that were manufactured, as a whole or in part, with forced labour or forced child labour. This applies to all businesses, sectors, and products. It makes no difference where they come from. Products that you sell online are also subject to this rule.

What does this mean for you?

• You are not allowed to place goods on the EU market if these were manufactured with forced labour.
• The government actively monitors for violations. Is there any suspicion of forced labour? Then this will be investigated, and your products may be detained or confiscated at the border.
• You will have to be able to demonstrate that you apply due diligence in your supply chain. This means that you have to identify, prevent, and tackle risks of forced labour for every link in your production chain.

For whom?

The Forced Labour Regulation applies to all products, and to all businesses and economic sectors, such as:

• importers and exporters of goods
• manufacturers of products (services are not covered by the FLR)
• entrepreneurs who sell products online

When?

• From 14 December 2027 the Forced Labour Regulation (FLR) applies to all businesses.
• The European Commission will publish a database with information on forced labour risks in specific products or geographic areas, with specific examples no later than 14 June 2026.