UK signals forced labor import ban within three years to strengthen supply chain due diligence

The United Kingdom is moving closer to introducing a forced labor import ban, with the government indicating that new legislation could be in place before the current Parliament ends in August 2029.

Speaking before the Business and Trade Committee at the House of Commons, Chris Bryant, Britain’s Minister of State for Trade, said he would be “absolutely amazed and demoralized” if the UK failed to implement some form of forced labor ban within the next three years.

The proposed measures are expected to strengthen corporate responsibility, improve supply chain transparency, and align the UK more closely with international partners that have already adopted stricter forced labor regulations.

UK prioritizes supply chain due diligence

Bryant said the government’s first priority is to introduce mandatory due diligence requirements for company directors.

Under the proposal, directors could face civil liability if they fail to ensure their supply chains are free from goods produced through forced labor.

He described this approach as one of the most practical and effective ways to improve responsible business conduct.

According to Bryant, requiring businesses to actively verify their supply chains would be a relatively straightforward measure that could help prevent products linked to forced labor from entering the UK market.

Import ban would require more comprehensive legislation

While supply chain due diligence is considered the immediate priority, Bryant acknowledged that introducing a full forced labor import prohibition would be more complex.

Such legislation would require lawmakers to clearly define:

• What constitutes a forced labor offense.
• Applicable penalties for violations.
• Enforcement mechanisms at UK borders.

Bryant said that if the government intends to introduce such legislation, it would need to begin the process during the next parliamentary session or shortly thereafter to meet the current Parliament’s timeline.

He also emphasized that any future legislation would be country-neutral, applying equally regardless of the product’s country of origin.

Pressure mounts over imports linked to Xinjiang

During the committee hearing, Christopher James Bloore, Member of Parliament for Redditch, urged the government to make faster progress in restricting imports connected to forced labor in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Bloore argued that the UK should take a clear position against products made using forced labor, stating that the country must decide whether it is willing to continue trading in goods produced through exploitative labor practices.

His comments reflect growing international scrutiny over allegations of forced labor involving Uyghur populations in Xinjiang.

U.S. trade pressure adds urgency

The debate comes as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) recently concluded that the United Kingdom does not currently maintain a comprehensive forced labor import prohibition.

Following its assessment under Section 301, the USTR proposed a 10% tariff on UK imports into the United States, arguing that Britain’s lack of a comprehensive import ban places restrictions on U.S. commerce.

However, the USTR also acknowledged that the UK has already implemented several targeted measures that partially restrict forced labor products.

These include:

• The Modern Slavery Act 2015, which requires certain companies to report on modern slavery risks within their operations and supply chains.
• The Procurement Act 2023, which excludes certain forced labor products from government procurement.
• The Great British Energy Act 2025, which restricts specific high-risk energy imports linked to forced labor.

According to the USTR, these measures partially limit forced labor imports even though they stop short of creating a comprehensive import ban.

Civil society calls for stronger action in the united states

While the United States continues encouraging its trading partners to strengthen forced labor enforcement, several labor and human rights organizations argue that the U.S. must also address shortcomings within its own system.

A coalition including Corporate Accountability Lab, Greenpeace USA, Transparentem, and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project noted that forced labor continues to exist within multiple sectors of the U.S. economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, prisons, and detention facilities.

The coalition pointed out that only 10 federal forced labor prosecutions were recorded in 2024 despite ongoing concerns across numerous industries.

It also cited estimates suggesting the U.S. imports approximately $169 billion worth of goods annually that are at risk of being produced through forced labor.

The organizations urged stronger enforcement of existing legislation, including:

• The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)
• Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930
• The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)

They also called for a phased international approach, allowing trading partners sufficient time to develop legislation and customs enforcement systems.

Uk businesses face growing calls for clearer rules

Momentum for stronger legislation is also building within the UK.

Liam Byrne, Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, said Britain now lags behind several allies in banning goods produced through forced labor and urged ministers to accelerate reforms.

According to the Office of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, the UK imports approximately £20 billion ($27 billion) worth of goods each year that are considered at risk of being produced using forced labor.

In a report published in December, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons called for comprehensive legislation centered on mandatory human rights due diligence.

Her recommendations include:

• Mandatory human rights and supply chain due diligence.
• Civil and corporate liability for businesses that fail to prevent forced labor.
• Import restrictions on products originating from high-risk regions.
• Legal protection for companies that can demonstrate they took reasonable steps to prevent forced labor within their operations and supply chains.

Lyons argued that the UK’s current collection of laws creates unnecessary complexity for businesses while failing to adequately protect responsible companies from unfair competition.

Public support remains strong

Polling cited by the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s report shows strong public backing for tougher action.

According to the findings:

• 92% of Britons believe UK businesses should be protected from competition involving goods produced through forced or child labor.
• 79% support new legislation preventing such goods from entering the UK market.

Lyons said the UK was once a global leader after introducing the Modern Slavery Act in 2015 but has since fallen behind other major economies.

She believes new legislation presents an opportunity for Britain to strengthen responsible business practices, protect ethical companies, promote sustainable economic growth, and reaffirm its leadership in combating modern slavery.

Uk moves toward stronger forced labor protections

Although no final legislation has yet been introduced, the government’s latest statements indicate that the UK is preparing for significant changes to its approach to forced labor within global supply chains.

If implemented, mandatory due diligence requirements and a future forced labor import ban would represent one of the country’s most significant updates to supply chain regulation since the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act.

With increasing pressure from lawmakers, businesses, international partners, and the public, momentum is building for legislation designed to ensure products entering the UK market are free from forced labor and modern slavery.