An estimated 27.6 million people worldwide are in situations of forced labour, producing products that end up in markets everywhere, including the EU. In line with international efforts to eliminate forced labour from supply chains, the Forced Labour Regulation draws a clear line: from 14 December 2027, no product made with forced labour may be sold in or exported from the EU market. Human rights are not for sale.
What is Forced Labour?
It is a severe human rights violation and a form of modern slavery in which people are forced to work against their will and cannot freely refuse or leave their work.
What forced labour can look like:
Source: ILO, Walk Free and IOM (2022), Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage.
The time to prepare is now
To ensure that products made with forced labour are banned is a shared responsibility. Businesses, competent authorities, and civil society organisations must each play their part. The first tools to support them, including the EU Forced Labour Regulation guidelines, are now available. The guidelines are also available in the other official EU languages. This portal brings them together in one place. Preparation starts now.
Get Ready
I am a business
Companies must ensure that products made with forced labour do not enter or leave the EU market. How this is achieved is up to them. This requirement applies to companies of all sizes, with dedicated support available to SMEs.
During investigations, companies may be asked to share information on how they address risks of forced labour in their supply chains. When forced labour is confirmed, they must comply with the decision.
Understanding your supply chain helps reduce legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks and supports fair competition for companies that respect high labour standards. The tools below will help you understand your supply chain, reduce exposure to risks, and prepare for the regulation’s application from 14 December 2027.
- EU Forced Labour Regulation guidelines– understand your obligations under the regulation
- Risk database – identify forced labour risks
- Traceability tools– assess your supply chain exposure
- List of national authorities – reach out for support
I am an SME: Anti Forced Labour Preparedness Checklist
A practical checklist to help SMEs understand key actions and expectations.
I am a competent authority
EU countries are now preparing for the application of the regulation on 14 December 2027. Competent authorities will be responsible for investigating suspected cases of forced labour and enforcing prohibition decisions in their territories, working closely with customs authorities, market surveillance authorities, and other national actors involved in implementation and enforcement.
Start preparing now and explore the tools below to build capacity, establish procedures, strengthen cooperation, and ensure your authorities are ready once the regulation applies.
- List of competent authorities - find competent authorities in EU countries
- Union Network against Forced Labour Products - see how the network supports cooperation, information exchange, and monitoring
- EU Forced Labour Regulation guidelines - understand your role, powers, and the investigation and enforcement process
- ec-forced-labour
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Commission )- contact the Commission regarding implementation questions - Risk database - identify geographical areas and products at risk
I am a civil society organisation
Civil society organisations (CSOs) will play a key role in helping to make the regulation work in practice. CSOs can support this by identifying, documenting, and sharing information on the risks of forced labour in products and supply chains.
They can also support affected individuals by helping to collect evidence, document testimonies, and submit information via the Single Information Submission Point, which will be available from 14 December 2027 to report suspected cases of forced labour. CSOs may also help connect workers, authorities, and other stakeholders during investigations, and help raise awareness of the regulation in the regions and sectors where they operate.
Use the tools below to learn more about the process and how to support implementation:
- EU Forced Labour Regulation guidelines- learn how to submit information
- Single Information Submission Point - report forced labour (available on 14 December 2027)
- Risk database - identify geographical areas and products at risk
Webinars and trainings
2026
- 14 September 2026, 14:30–16:30 - From challenge to action: get ready for the FLR implementation – Launch event
General introduction to the EU Forced Labour Regulation and the European Commission's preparedness package. - 16 September 2026, 14:30–16:30 - From challenge to action: get ready for the FLR implementation – SMEs focus
Practical guidance and support tools for SMEs preparing for FLR implementation. - 13 October 2026, 14:30–16:30 - From challenge to action: get ready for the FLR implementation – Solar sector focus
Focus on supply chain visibility, supplier engagement, and compliance strategies for the solar sector. - 20 October 2026, 14:30–16:30 - From challenge to action: get ready for the FLR implementation – Textile sector focus
Focus on supply chain visibility, supplier engagement, and compliance strategies for the textile sector. - 12 November 2026, 14:30–16:30 - From challenge to action: get ready for the FLR implementation – Electronics and semiconductors focus
Practical guidance for addressing forced labour risks in electronics and semiconductor supply chains. - 17 November 2026, 14:30–16:30 - From challenge to action: get ready for the FLR implementation – Agri-food sector focus
Discussion of sector-specific risks and practical compliance measures for agri-food businesses. - 19 November 2026, 14:30–16:30 - From challenge to action: get ready for the FLR implementation – Automotive sector focus
Practical approaches to supply chain transparency and supplier engagement in the automotive sector. - 24 November 2026, 14:30–16:30 - From challenge to action: get ready for the FLR implementation – Fisheries focus
Sector-specific guidance on identifying and addressing forced labour risks in fisheries supply chains.