The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has expressed strong support for a recent report by the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights, which calls for the introduction of mandatory due diligence legislation and import bans on goods linked to forced labour—particularly within the solar sector. The report draws attention to the serious risk of forced labour in solar supply chains, especially in the upstream production of polysilicon, a key material in solar panel manufacturing. It also points out the shortcomings of relying on voluntary, industry-led initiatives to address these concerns.
ESMC fully agrees with the Committee’s recommendation that voluntary self-certification must be replaced by government-led, independently verifiable mechanisms. The organization also supports the report’s call for independent assessments in public procurement, which reflects ESMC’s ongoing advocacy efforts at the EU level. With the European Union preparing to implement its own Forced Labour Regulation, ESMC sees a unique opportunity to ensure that the energy transition is achieved without compromising human rights. However, the success of this regulation will rely heavily on its enforcement, the establishment of product-specific traceability requirements, and strong oversight mechanisms.
Christoph Podewils, the ESMC Secretary General said, “We commend the UK Parliament for showing leadership on this issue – and urge the EU to match it with swift and ambitious implementation.”
To ensure meaningful impact, ESMC urges European legislators to strengthen the Forced Labour Regulation by including robust traceability standards for solar products, mandating third-party audits and product-level supply chain verification, and banning the import of solar goods produced with forced labour. The Council emphasises that these steps are essential for building a clean energy future that is also grounded in respect for human rights.
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