The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended its ban on imports from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), incorporating three additional companies into the prohibition. The move comes as part of the DHS's efforts to eradicate forced labor practices from America's supply chain.
According to a DHS media release, these companies have been added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List. This initiative aims to hold businesses accountable for ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated against Uyghurs and other ethnic and spiritual minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang).
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said, "The Department of Homeland Security remains committed to eradicating the use of forced labor and holding organizations accountable for their human rights abuses." He further stated, "Since President Biden signed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, DHS has prioritized enforcement, and we will continue to pursue companies that ignore the law and exploit those abused in the People’s Republic of China."
The DHS media release also revealed that the interagency Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), a division within DHS, recently voted to add these three companies to the list. With this addition, a total of 30 companies now feature on the UFLPA Entity List. The newly added entities are COFCO Sugar Holding Co. Ltd, Sichuan Jingweida Technology Group Co., Ltd., and Anhui Xinya New Materials Co., Ltd.
Robert Silvers, Under Secretary for Policy who also serves as Chair of FLETF, emphasized on this point saying, "We have shown again through today’s enforcement actions that the United States will not tolerate forced labor in goods that come into this country." He further added that "Companies must conduct due diligence and know their supply chains. The interagency Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force will continue to designate entities known to violate our laws, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue its vigilant enforcement at our ports."
