Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force publishes updated Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act strategy

Today, the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) published an updated Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Strategy to Prevent the Importation of Goods Mined, Produced, or Manufactured with Forced Labor in the People’s Republic of China.

The updated UFLPA Strategy highlights enforcement of the UFLPA’s rebuttable presumption, which prohibits goods from being imported into the United States that are either produced in Xinjiang, or by entities identified on the UFLPA Entity List, unless the importer can prove, by clear and convincing evidence, the goods were not produced with forced labor. In the first year of enforcement under the new law, U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reviewed more than 4,000 shipments valued at over $1.3 billion.

Additionally, the strategy highlights an expanded UFLPA Entity List, which as of August 2, 2023 will include four new companies. Goods produced by Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co., Ltd., Ninestar Corporation, including eight of its Zhuhai-based subsidiaries, Camel Group Co., Ltd., and Chenguang Biotech Group Co., Ltd., including one subsidiary, will be restricted from entering the United States because of their work with the PRC government to recruit, transport, transfer, harbor or receive forced labor or members of persecuted groups, including Uyghur minorities, out of the Xinjiang Uyghur region.

“The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force represents a whole-of-government effort to implement the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Today’s additions demonstrate the United States’ unwavering commitment to eliminating forced labor, including by ensuring that goods made by forced labor are not imported into our country,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “The Office of the United States Trade Representative will continue to work with our interagency task force partners to implement this legislation and eliminate forced labor from our supply chains.”

The FLETF, chaired by the Department of Homeland Security, leads efforts to monitor implementation of the UFLPA and the broader U.S. law prohibiting the importation into the United States of goods made wholly or in part with forced labor. In addition to the Department of Homeland Security, the FLETF is comprised of seven member agencies: the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Departments of Labor, State, Treasury, Justice, and Commerce.