The Forced Labour Regulation

The Forced Labour Regulation introduces a ban on products made with forced labour, ensuring they cannot be sold in the EU market. The ban applies to all products, whether imported or produced within the EU for domestic consumption or export. By addressing a global issue that impacts an estimated 27.6 million people, this regulation marks a pivotal step toward eradicating forced labour. The rules will start to apply on 14 December 2027.

What is forced labour?

Forced labour is defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as 'all work or service which is exacted from any person under the threat of a penalty and for which the person has not offered himself or herself voluntarily.' It refers to situations in which persons are coerced to work through violence, intimidation, manipulated debt, retention of identity papers, or threats of denunciation to immigration authorities.

What the European Commission does

Scope and governance

The regulation prohibits the placement of products made with forced labour on the EU market, regardless of their origin. 

The Commission leads investigations and takes decisions when forced labour occurs outside the EU, while national competent authorities are responsible for cases within the EU. EU countries must designate competent authorities by 14 December 2025.

How does the regulation work?

The Commission and competent authorities take a risk-based approach to investigations, focusing on high-risk sectors, products, and regions. The process involves

• Preliminary assessment: the authorities will assess potential violations based on information submitted by stakeholders, reports, risk indicators, and other relevant sources. If authorities have suspicions of violations after this assessment, they may ask the economic operators concerned to provide information about the products under assessment. If substantiated concerns of forced labour remain, a formal investigation will be launched
• Investigation: authorities inform the economic operator of the investigation’s scope and the reasons, allowing them to submit additional documents or information. In exceptional cases, field inspections may be conducted.
• Decision and enforcement: if the lead competent authority concludes that the product is made with forced labour, it will prohibit the product from entering the EU market, order its withdrawal and disposal, and inform other competent and customs authorities to ensure that the prohibition is enforced.

Market consultation on supply chain tracking services

We are gathering feedback from economic operators to map the existing supply chain tracking solutions, their features and characteristics. This open market consultation will be of interest to any service providers who are considering applying for future public procurement procedures that will be published in 2026. 

Under the Forced Labour Regulation, a procedure will aim to provide supply chain traceability services to investigate alleged products made with forced labour.

If you are a company offering these services, you can participate by responding to the questionnaire in our consultation by 30 November 2025.

Supporting tools

To support the efforts businesses, competent authorities, and stakeholders implement this regulation effectively, the Commission will develop several support tools, including

• the EU Forced Labour Product Network for coordinating investigations and sharing best practices.
• a public database that provides indicative information on forced labour risks in specific geographic areas or products.
• implementation guidelines for economic operators, competent authorities and stakeholders to better understand and comply with the regulation.
• a single information submission point for reporting suspected forced labour violations.
• the Forced Labour Single Portal to display relevant information for implementing the regulation.
• SME support measures to provide support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
• international cooperation in exchanging information and best practices on forced labour risks with non-EU countries and international organisations.
• Information and Communication System for Market Surveillance (ICSMS) - the Forced Labour Module of this tool enables the case management of investigations. It can also transmit information about investigations and decisions to competent and customs authorities.

Expert Group on Forced Labour

As part of preparing the implementation of this regulation, we are currently looking for experts to advise on guidelines, support tools and good practices. Professionals from the private and public sector, NGOs, social partnerships, academia and international organisations are all welcome.

Apply for our Expert Group on Forced Labour by 15 September.