Lawmakers have emphasized the need for the UK to strengthen its protections against forced labor in supply chains to prevent the country from becoming a destination for goods banned in other markets. The cross-party Business and Trade Committee urged government officials to revise Britain's modern slavery laws, impose penalties on companies, and contemplate establishing a criminal offense related to forced labor in supply chains.
The report highlighted the risk of the UK becoming a dumping ground for goods produced through forced labor if it fails to align with global partners in enacting legislative measures to combat modern slavery. The United States has already implemented laws prohibiting products from China's Xinjiang region due to allegations of forced labor and human rights violations targeting the Uyghur population, which Beijing denies. The European Union is also scheduled to implement forced labor regulations in December 2027.
Lawmakers interviewed representatives from Shein, an online fast-fashion retailer, and Temu, an online marketplace, as part of their investigation. Allegations have surfaced concerning the use of cotton from Xinjiang in the products of both platforms. Shein's general counsel for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Yinan Zhu, evaded questions about the source of cotton in products sold in the UK, a stance labeled as "a source of extreme concern" in the report.
In subsequent written responses to the committee, Zhu indicated that Shein excludes cotton from Xinjiang in products sold in the US and that while there is no legal limitation in Britain regarding cotton sourcing, there is an overlap in the products sold in both countries. Shein asserts to maintain a zero-tolerance policy on forced labor, as does Temu. Temu has also declared a strict prohibition against forced labor.