ETHICAL SOURCING

UK Report Finds Fashion Industry Unsustainable and Suggests Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme

25 March 2019

The UK’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) recently presented a report on the sustainability of clothing, finding that the fashion industry’s current business model is unsustainable, with over-consumption and climate change driving widespread environmental damage. More

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Swedish Chemicals Agency Finds Prohibited Substances in Christmas Decorations

19 December 2018

Following the investigation, the companies marketing these products ceased their sales of the products concerned. Hong Kong businesses should be aware that the infringements led to administrative fines being levied on four companies of about €2,000 in each case for failing to adhere to labelling requirements. More

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German Voluntary Ecolabel “Blue Angel” for Consumer Products Including Electronics, Textiles, Toys and Shoes Celebrates 40th Anniversary

26 November 2018

Hong Kong sellers familiar with the German market may already know that the product label “Blue Angel” aims to provide reliable guidance to consumers when it comes to making more environmentally friendly purchasing decisions, while guaranteeing that a product or service meets high standards. The “Blue Angel” stands for the protection of the environment and health, resources, water and the climate. More

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Report Outlines Challenges in Combating Mainland Chinese Goods Made with Forced Labour

01 September 2017

An 8 August report from the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission finds that the United States faces challenges in identifying and preventing the entry of goods imported from mainland China that are produced with forced labour despite a 2015 law that enhanced U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s authorities in this area. More

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CBP Regulations Amended to Reflect Stricter Prohibition on Imports Made with Forced Labour

23 June 2017

CBP has amended its regulations, effective 8 June, to reflect section 910 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 by removing the “consumptive demand” clause from the regulations concerning the prohibition on the importation of merchandise produced by convict, forced or indentured labour. More

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EU Introduces Supply Chain Due Diligence Obligations for Conflict Minerals

16 June 2017

On 19 May 2017, the European Parliament and Council published Regulation 2017/821 in the Official Journal of the European Union, laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for EU importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold which originate from conflict-affected or high-risk areas (the Conflict Minerals Regulation). More

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EU Lawmakers Push for New Mandatory Law in Garments Sector

02 June 2017

On 19 May 2017 the Council of the European Union published its Conclusions on Sustainable Garment Value Chains (GVC). In its conclusions, the Council seeks the prevention of human rights violations and the encouragement of corporate social responsibility actions in order to ensure compliance with labour and environmental international standards in the garment sector. More

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Conflict Minerals Reporting Requirements Scaled Back

28 April 2017

Acting Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Michael Piwowar announced on 7 April that the SEC will suspend enforcement of a “costly” conflict minerals due diligence requirement in the wake of a recent court decision. More

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State Department Seeks Input on Conflict Minerals Sourcing

13 April 2017

The U.S. Department of State is seeking input from stakeholders by 28 April to inform recommendations of how best to support responsible sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (known as conflict minerals). More

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European Parliament Wants Enforceable Provisions on Textile Trade

07 April 2017

On 21 March 2017, the European Parliament’s Committee on Development adopted a Draft Report requesting a Motion for a European Parliament Resolution on an EU flagship initiative in the garment sector. This Draft Report takes account of the importance of global value chains in the garments industry and highlights the existence of a link between those global value chains in the textile sector and the violation of human rights, in particular fundamental labour rights. More

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