Guidelines on the Application of the Forced Labour Regulation

Implementation guidelines (C(2026) 4386) issued by the Commission under Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2024/3015, explaining how the ban on products made with forced labour is applied and enforced. They cover: scope (all products and all economic operators, including online sales targeting EU consumers); the definition of forced labour (based on ILO Convention No 29) and risk indicators; competent authorities' risk-based prioritisation of investigations; preliminary and formal investigation procedures; prohibition decisions and withdrawal and disposal; customs enforcement and the penalties framework; and due diligence recommendations for economic operators (the OECD six-step approach). The guidelines are not legally binding; only the provisions of the parent Regulation are binding.