·
New Provision Inserted:
DGFT has inserted Para
2.50A in the Handbook
of Procedures (HBP), 2023 under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.
·
Enquiry Initiation:
DGFT may initiate an enquiry suo motu or on the
basis of a complaint or information supported by credible evidence to determine
whether imported goods have been produced wholly or partly using forced labour.
·
Power to Seek Information:
DGFT may call for information, documents, and clarifications from importers,
exporters, manufacturers, or any other relevant person or authority.
·
Consultation with Stakeholders:
DGFT may consult relevant Ministries, Departments, Government agencies, and
other stakeholders during the enquiry.
·
Technical Inputs:
DGFT may obtain information or expert inputs from domestic or international
organisations, governmental authorities, or expert bodies, wherever necessary.
·
Findings Report:
On completion of the enquiry, DGFT will prepare a report recording its findings
on the use of forced labour in the production of the goods under investigation.
·
Recommendation to Government:
Based on the findings, DGFT may recommend appropriate action to the Central
Government, including prohibition
of imports of goods produced using forced labour under the Foreign Trade (Development and
Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.
The new procedure establishes a formal
mechanism for investigating imports suspected of being produced with forced
labour and provides a legal basis for recommending import bans on such goods.
[DGFT Public Notice
No. 21/2026-27 dated 13 July, 2026]
Effect of this Public Notice:
The Procedure for the determination of imports of goods produced using forced labour is notified under Para 2.50A of HBP 2023 .
Subject:
Insertion of Para 2.50A in Handbook of Procedure, 2023.
In exercise of powers conferred under paragraph
1.03 read with 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, as amended from time to time,
the Directorate General of Foreign Trade hereby inserts Para 2.50A in the Handbook
of Procedures, 2023 to prescribe the procedure for the determination of imports
of goods produced using forced labour, as follows:
"Para
2.50A: Procedure for determination of use of forced labour
in the production of imported goods
1. The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
may, suo motu or upon receipt
of any information or complaint supported by credible material, undertake an enquiry
to ascertain whether any goods imported into India have been produced, wholly or
in part, using forced Jabour.
2. For the purposes of such enquiry, the DGFT
may seek such information, documents or clarifications from the importer(s), exporter(s),
manufacturer(s) or any other person or authority, as may be considered necessary.
3. During the course of the enquiry, the DGFT
may consult the relevant Ministries, Departments or agencies, or other stakeholders,
as may be considered necessary.
4. The DGFT may also obtain information or
technical inputs from any domestic or international organisation,
governmental authority or expert body, wherever considered necessary for the purposes
of the enquiry.
5. Upon completion of the enquiry, the DGFT
shall prepare a report containing its findings regarding the use of forced Jabour in the production of the goods under enquiry and may
make appropriate recommendations to the Central Government, including recommendations
for prohibition of the import of such goods under the Foreign Trade (Development
and Regulation) Act, 1992, the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023."
[Issued from File No. K-31013/1/2026-DIR
NAFTA-Part (4))