EU ban on imports of goods produced using slavery
20.11.2019
Question for written answer E-003922/2019
to the Commission
Rule 138
Jude Kirton-Darling (S&D), Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE), Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D)
In 2010 the European Parliament called on the Commission ‘to swiftly table a proposal for a regulation banning the import into the EU of goods produced using modern forms of slavery, forced labour, especially forced labour of particularly vulnerable groups, in violation of basic human rights standards’ [1] . This call was reiterated in a European Parliament resolution of 5 July 2016, as no action had been taken by the Commission. The EU’s lack of action in this regard contrasts with policies enacted by the US. In October 2019, the US Customs and Border Protection issued five withhold release orders for products produced using forced labour and originating from China, Malaysia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe and Brazil.
Can the Commission explain what concrete steps it has taken to respond to Parliament’s requests and whether it intends to table a legislative proposal as requested?
- [1] European Parliament resolution of 25 November 2010 on human rights and social and environmental standards in international trade agreements (OJ C 99 E, 3.4.2012, p. 31).