The European Parliament has moved to ban products made with forced labor, including those tied to the situation in Xinjiang, China. The decision was adopted with strong support and signals a clear stance against exploitative supply chains across the bloc and beyond.
The vote tally was 503 in favor, 6 against, and 4 abstentions. The approval lays out criteria for prohibition, mechanisms for international cooperation, and a framework for engaging with companies to verify the origins of goods entering the European market. The text also calls for tools that enable cooperation with countries outside the EU and for authorities at European borders to seize goods when there is verifiable proof of forced labor involvement.
Bernd Lange, chair of the International Trade Committee, stressed that the EU must intensify its efforts in partnership with other nations. He warned that there can be no room for goods or shipments produced through exploitation anywhere in the union. The vote, he noted, establishes the core principles needed to halt such inhumane practices and sets the stage for the Commission to implement these rules effectively. Parliament is advancing with a plan to regulate forced labor and to support importers by providing a public list of sanctioned companies, regions, and manufacturers, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the supply chain.
In shaping the regulations, Members of Parliament considered indicators such as abuse of vulnerability, restrictions on movement, retention of identity documents, and debt bondage. The debate also referenced reports about reeducation camps in Xinjiang, a topic some lawmakers label as a modern form of slavery. These concerns underscore the urgency of reliable due diligence and robust enforcement to prevent the use of forced labor in the global economy.
Spanish member of parliament Inma Rodriguez Piñedo highlighted the scale of the issue, noting that millions are affected by forced labor, with a large share being women, children, and economically vulnerable groups. The point was made that Europe must act to prevent development in some regions from being built on the labor of the vulnerable. The progress already made by partners such as the United States and Canada, which have implemented bans on forced labor for certain imports, was cited as a benchmark for broader action across markets that import goods from high-risk areas.
Industry observers say the new framework will push companies to strengthen supply chain tracing, raise compliance standards, and invest in auditing capabilities. The initiative is expected to drive the adoption of responsible procurement practices, including supplier monitoring, third party verification, and more rigorous risk assessment. By setting clear penalties and providing support tools for small and medium enterprises, the regulation aims to reduce the risk of forced labor slipping into consumer products sold in the EU and allied markets. The overall goal is a more accountable trading environment where labor rights are protected and business practices meet universally accepted standards.
As the policy moves from approval to enforcement, several questions remain about implementation timelines, the criteria for distinguishing between permissible labor practices and outright coercion, and how best to coordinate with customs authorities at the border. The commission is expected to publish detailed guidance and procedural rules that will translate principles into practical checks for importers and inspectors alike. Stakeholders anticipate ongoing dialogue with trade partners to harmonize definitions and strengthen cooperative enforcement while preserving legitimate trade flows.
For consumers and workers, the change promises greater visibility into where goods originate and under what conditions they are produced. By elevating the priority of humane labor standards, the policy seeks to deter exploitative practices and encourage responsible corporate behavior across industries such as textiles, electronics, and agriculture. In the long term, the measure aspires to set a model for a more ethical global market that protects vulnerable workers while supporting fair competition among compliant businesses.
Ultimately, the European Parliament’s action reflects a growing consensus that enforcing labor rights is essential to sustainable growth. It marks a shift toward stricter governance, enhanced transparency, and a more vigilant approach to imports. The coming months will reveal how governments, businesses, and civil society adapt to the new regime and how effective enforcement proves to be in limiting forced labor while preserving livelihoods for legitimate workers and their communities.