EU: Council wants to give Commission a central role in combatting import of products made with forced labour

Following in the footsteps of MEPs, the Council of the European Union has now endorsed the draft regulation aimed at banning the import of products made with forced labour. The negotiating mandate of member states differs from that of the Parliament, however, in proposing to place the burden of proof on the competent authorities rather than on companies. Meanwhile, the creation of a Union Network against Forced Labour Products, to coordinate the action of national authorities and the enhanced r