The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) has updated its procedures for preventing the importation of goods originating from forced labor practices in the People's Republic of China, according to an Aug. 1 news release.
“The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force represents a whole-of-government effort to implement the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act," Ambassador Katherine Tai said in the release. "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. 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 strategy emphasizes the enforcement of the UFLPA's rebuttable presumption clause, which prohibits the importation of goods produced in Xinjiang or by entities listed in the UFLPA Entity List, unless the importer can provide clear and convincing evidence the goods were not produced with forced labor, the release reported.
In its inaugural year of implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection scrutinized more than 4,000 shipments worth more than $1.3 billion, according to the release.
Furthermore, the updated strategy outlines an expanded UFLPA Entity List, slated to incorporate four new companies, effective Aug 2, the release said. Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Company Ltd., Ninestar Corporation (along with eight Zhuhai-based subsidiaries), Camel Group Company Ltd. and Chenguang Biotech Group Company Ltd. (including one subsidiary) will now face restrictions on their products entering the U.S.
These entities have been implicated in collaborating with the People's Republic of China to engage in activities such as recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving forced labor or persecuted group members, including Uyghur minorities, from the Xinjiang Uyghur region, according to the release.
Chaired by the Department of Homeland Security, the FLETF oversees the implementation of the UFLPA and the broader U.S. legislation prohibiting the importation of goods made wholly or partially through forced labor, the release reported. The FLETF is composed of seven member agencies, including the Departments of Labor, State, Treasury, Justice and Commerce, as well as the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
