Understanding Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery: A Business Imperative with Clint Palermo
Hot Topics in International Trade-The Mod Act
Corruption Crime & Compliance: Alex Cotoia on Compliance with The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
Episode 309 -- Alex Cotoia on Compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
FCPA Compliance Report - Virginia Newman on Enhancing UFLPA Compliance: Solutions for Forced Labor Prevention
The State of Energy Storage: What You Need to Know
Sanction and the Increasing Complexity of Trade Compliance
Hidden Traffic Podcast - More About the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act with Virginia Newman
Torres Talks Trade Podcast- Episode 6- Forced Labor in Supply Chains
In recent years, a multinational focus on preventing forced labor within supply chains has shaped due diligence requirements for companies worldwide. Recent changes to global policies and potential shifts in enforcement...more
Welcome to the December 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
On 12 December 2024, the Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 (the Regulation) was published in the European Union (EU) Official...more
Even for the unpredictable world of business and human rights, 2024 was particularly volatile, including for sustainability more generally. The European Union’s (EU) Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)...more
Combatting forced labor is growing from aspiration of company boards to a mission-critical focus impacting day-to-day operations. Companies with global footprints are not alone in witnessing acute compliance and reputational...more
Over the next few years, lawmakers and regulators in many jurisdictions will deepen their implementation of new human rights laws that impose significantly higher compliance burdens on companies. Concerns over whether...more
The recent ruling by the U.K. Court of Appeal declared that the U.K. National Crime Agency’s decision not to investigate the importation of cotton produced through the use of Uyghur forced labor in China was unlawful. This...more
On 27 June 2024, the UK Court of Appeal upheld an action by international NGO, World Uyghur Congress, and found that the National Crime Agency had acted unlawfully in deciding not to open a money laundering investigation into...more
On April 23, 2024, the European Parliament adopted, by an overwhelming 555-6 majority, a landmark law that will establish a sweeping and forceful regulatory regime to prohibit any products made using forced labor from being...more
On May 24, 2024, the CS3D was finally formally adopted by the Council, which marks the final step of a long and winding legislative process. This legislative process had begun in February 2022 with the Commission’s proposal....more
On 23 April 2024, the European Parliament approved the much-anticipated regulation banning products made with forced labour from entering the EU market (the ‘Forced Labour Ban’). The approved text builds on the provisions of...more
In February 2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began taking a new approach to Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) enforcement—questionnaires. Once again, the solar industry is among the first targets, vanguards...more
U.S. Customs authorities impounded thousands of vehicles, showing risks to imports linked to forced labor. The U.S. government detained thousands of luxury vehicles deemed to contain a small electronic component sourced from...more
The oversight obligations of boards continue to expand. Recent enforcement actions and new laws in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and supply chains create new challenges for boards, as we explain in this...more
Key Points - - In light of the vigorous enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, boards in their oversight role should ensure that their companies conduct heightened diligence on their supply chains, including...more
A few days before Christmas, the Senate followed the House in bringing its legislative year to a swift but unsatisfying end. Although enough bipartisan goodwill was mustered to pass a massive National Defense Authorization...more
A report issued last week alleges that a “substantial volume” of clothing is tainted with forced labor and is significantly tied to China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (“Uyghur Region”). The report, written by several...more
Recent measures demonstrate that the United States has maintained its commitment to enforcing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). Specifically, the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) recently added...more
Both enforcement agencies and consumers increasingly are focused on manufacturers’ supply chains. Human rights enforcement frameworks increasingly have real teeth. Both the United States and the European Union either have, or...more
The centrality of international trade laws in the development and execution of U.S. foreign policy has never been more evident than in 2022. Companies that have not invested in international trade compliance programs are...more
Companies in the manufacturing industry must continue to keep a close eye on the “S” in ESG. One key aspect of the “social” component of ESG involves respecting human rights in supply chains. Indeed, manufacturers are facing...more
The United States, the European Union, and Germany have recently adopted or proposed new rules requiring enhanced due diligence in supply chains, targeting human rights and environmental issues. This alert examines key...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
Supply chain risks are drawing attention across the globe. Recent geo-political and economic shocks such as Covid-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the U.S.-China trade war and connected inflation are driving this focus. ...more