The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) is a certification program that helps fashion brands and retailers to ensure that their products are not made with forced labor from the Xinjiang region of China. UFLPA is a law that prohibits companies from using forced labor from Uyghurs and other minority groups in China. It mandates that companies must demonstrate that their products are not made using forced labor, or they will be subject to
As of July 1, 2021, any company that imports goods from the Xinjiang region will need to certify that those goods were not produced using forced labor in order to avoid penalties.
The enforcement of this law has helped reduce exports from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) to the United States from 180 million in Oct 2020 to less than 20 million in April 2022.
Image source: What is the UFLPA List and Why Does It Matter?
That’s a great sign to combat forced labor and protect the basic human rights of people living in that region.
The independent certification body, Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN) is an administration body which leads the UFLPA certification program. To become certified, companies must undergo an on-site audit of their supply chain and submit a report to RSN detailing their findings.
Why Does This Matter?
The Uyghur people, a largely Muslim minority group in China, have been subject to widespread human rights abuses by the Chinese government, including forced labor, mass detention, and religious persecution.
By ensuring that their products are not made with forced labor from the Xinjiang region, brands and retailers can help to combat these abuses and send a strong message to the Chinese government that they will not tolerate such practices.
What Are the Benefits of UFLPA Certification?
Companies that are certified under the UFLPA can show their customers that they are committed to responsible sourcing and that they are taking action to combat forced labor. This can help to build customer trust and loyalty.
Moreover, certification can help companies to avoid penalties and reputational damage if they are found to be sourcing from the Xinjiang region without certification.
So, being UFLPA compliant helps your fashion business:
- Build customer trust and loyalty.
- Avoid penalties and reputational damage.
- Demonstrate commitment to responsible sourcing.
- Improve your supply chain management practices and make them more resilient to risks such as forced labor.
How Can You Comply with UFLPA as a US-Based Importer?
As a US-based importer, you must comply with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) if you import goods or services from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China.
You need to:
- Demonstrate that your products are not made with forced labor.
- Conduct due diligence to ensure that your supply chain is free of forced labor.
- Take action if you find forced labor in your supply chain.
- Respond to all requests for information from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about your goods under CBP review.
How Does Wave PLM Help You with UFLPA Certification?
Wave PLM fashion software is an ideal solution for apparel companies seeking UFLPA certification. With Wave PLM, you can easily track and manage your supply chain data, ensuring that you obtain the necessary information to comply with the UFLPA requirements.
In addition, Wave PLM’s compliance module can help you stay on top of the latest UFLPA requirements and ensure that your company is following all the necessary procedures for certification.
With Wave PLM for fashion, you can be confident that your apparel company is taking the necessary steps to protect workers’ rights and prevent forced labor. In turn, it will help ensure that your company’s reputation is safe and secure.
Here’s a screenshot from our project lifecycle management platform – Wave PLM’s UFLPA Certification dashboard that lists all supplier details:
When you use Wave PLM to manage the inventory and supplier information of your fashion business, you acknowledge that:
- Your products have no direct or indirect production connection from Xinjiang, China.
- You haven’t used cotton imported from Xinjiang, China in your clothing or other products.
- Your business has no involvement with XUAR or any of its affiliates.
- Your goods, articles, or merchandise were not mined, produced, or manufactured using forced labor and don’t have any involvement of forced labor.
If you would like to learn more about how Wave PLM software can help your fashion company with UFLPA certification, please contact us. We would be happy to answer any questions you have and provide you with a demo of our fashion PLM software.
In addition, to find out more about a fashion PLM, make sure to check out this post.
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