Hidden Traffic : New Human Trafficking and Child Labor Regulation in Canada with Sean Stephenson
Third Party Ethical Audits
Fraud Eats Strategy - Human Trafficking is Everyone’s Problem: Steps that Organizations Can Take to Disrupt Human Trafficking
On September 22, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3234 (A.B. 3234) into law, which requires employers who voluntarily conduct a “social compliance audit” of their business operations and practices to post a clear...more
Welcome to the September 2024 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and...more
Welcome to the April 2024 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and...more
In the last few years, changes to the United States enforcement stance on the forced labor import ban authorized by 19 U.S.C. § 1307 and passage of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) have fundamentally changed the...more
Many have viewed corporate commitments to ESG as largely performative measures amidst toothless compliance frameworks. But this has been changing and we expect that change to continue. One example arises out of the “S” in...more
The US and EU have ramped up their enforcement initiatives to eliminate forced labor in supply chains. Importers, particularly in the fashion, electronics, solar, and automotive industries, should review the updated DOL List...more
The Biden Administration’s interest in reducing the occurrence of forced labor or indentured child labor in the global supply chain, and the parallel goals of corporate social responsibility, are driving increased attention...more
In late December 2021, the United States banned imports of disposable gloves produced in Malaysia by manufacturer Brightway Holdings over allegations of forced labor....more
On December 23, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (“UFLPA”). Most notably, the UFLPA strengthens the enforcement of Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by imposing a rebuttable...more
Brands Must Ensure Forced Labor is Not Used and Environmental Claims are Accurate - In response to consumer demand, the fashion industry has embraced Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) sourcing, including...more
CBP Adds Second Forced Labor Investigations Branch and DHS Publishes Timeline for Actions - Importers should be prepared for increased forced labor actions (including new Withhold Release Orders and product import bans)...more
The United States Has Taken Major Steps Towards Combating Forced Labor In China, And More Action Is Coming - U.S. enforcement actions and legislative developments in Congress signal a sweeping U.S. effort to take more...more
Forced Labor Enforcement Continues to Escalate as Commerce Restricts Exports to 5 Additional PRC Companies - Withhold release order was issued that will prohibit imports of products produced in whole or part from silica...more
On Thursday, June 24, the White House announced new actions to combat the use of forced labor in the production of silica-based products, including but not limited to solar-grade polysilicon in the Xinjiang province of the...more
The Biden Administration has taken new actions related to forced labor in the Xinjiang region that may affect the supply for material critical for solar panels: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold...more
Companies are increasingly focusing on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects of their businesses. In 2019, 90% of the S&P 500 index companies published sustainability reports. In contrast, in 2011, only 20%...more
The risk of detention or seizure of products imported into the United States warrants renewed attention to responsible business practices on forced labor risk in global supply chains. United States Customs and Border...more
The US Government has taken action recently to step up enforcement against forced labor. As particular regions come under increased media scrutiny, the issue has renewed interest in Congress, which is considering several...more
The use of forced labor in the Xinjiang province of the People’s Republic of China continues to receive public scrutiny as more than one million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been arbitrarily detained in...more
Courts and legislatures both in the United States and abroad continue to prioritize the eradication of labor trafficking in corporate supply chains. Labor trafficking litigation in the United States remains widespread and...more
On Oct. 1, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced withhold release orders covering five imported products from five countries. The companies, ranging from apparel producers in Asia to conflict mineral miners in...more
The Dutch Senate recently adopted the Child Labour Due Diligence Act, a new measure with far reaching implications for the sourcing, manufacturing, and consumption of products that contain inputs from the bodies of child...more
On May 14, 2017, the Dutch Senate passed a long-awaited Child Labor Due Diligence Law, which places obligations on companies selling goods or services to Dutch consumers as well as companies otherwise doing business in the...more
On February 11, the U.S. Senate passed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act and President Obama is expected to sign the legislation this week. A key provision in the Act eliminates the “consumptive demand...more
Next month, intellectual property owners will have the benefit of a permanent federal rule that provides for the disclosure of information essential to blocking counterfeit goods from invading the domestic market. The rule,...more