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December 2021

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In Compliance

Baker McKenzie Video Series: Biden Supply Chain Policy

by , , and 2 Mins Read

In an era where supply chain disruptions and risks are regular front-page news, the Biden Administration has been undertaking a range of initiatives intended to create resilient supply chains that reflect the Administration’s policies around national security, foreign policy, human rights, and the US economy. Considering the non-stop legal and compliance developments in this space, with more on the horizon, in-house counsel and compliance professionals for companies with supply chains that touch the United States…

In Forced Labor

US President Set to Sign Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act into Law

by , and 7 Mins Read

The compromise version of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (HR 6256) (“Act”) was recently passed by both chambers of Congress, and the legislation is now cleared for President Biden’s signature. It is expected that President Biden will sign the legislation into law soon. With strong bipartisan support, earlier versions of this legislation had passed the US House and Senate in the preceding months, and lawmakers reached an agreement that merged versions from each chamber. …

In Export Controls

Commerce Department Issues Proposed Rule to Amend ICTS Supply Chain Regulations to Address Connected Software Applications

by and 1 Min Read

On November 26, 2021, the Commerce Department of Commerce published a Proposed Rule that would amend its Interim Final Rule on Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain (“ICTS Regulations”) to specifically address connected software applications. The Proposed Rule would make changes prompted by Executive Order 14034 (“EO 14034”) to the ICTS Regulations. We previously blogged about the ICTS Regulations here, here, and here. The Commerce Department is seeking public comments on the Proposed Rule by December 27, 2021.…

In Forced Labor

US and Brazilian Perspectives on Possible Child Labor in Supply Chains: the Brazilian Acai Industry

by and 7 Mins Read

A recent Washington Post article about child labor in the Brazilian acai industry underscores the need for companies to develop compliance programs intended to identify and mitigate the risk of possible child labor in their supply chains. Not only is acai used in trendy health foods as noted in the article, but acai is also used as a base for other products. The article focuses on acai berries sourced from two regions in Brazil that…

In Events

Business and Human Rights Webinars of Interest

by 1 Min Read

Webinar #1 On November 16, Baker McKenzie International Human Rights lawyer Kevin Coon participated in the Association of Corporate Counsel Middle East and North Africa program on International labour standards & human rights: Risk mitigation for business. Please click here to view a recording of the webinar. Webinar #2 On October 28th, Baker McKenzie International Human Rights lawyer Kevin Coon was joined for a conversation with Canada’s first Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise Sheri Meyerhoffer, to explore the mandate of the Office…

In Trade

EU Publishes Draft Legislation to Address Imports of Commodities Linked to Deforestation and Forest Degradation

by 1 Min Read

Baker McKenzie’s Import and Trade Remedies Blog has published a new post on the EU’s draft regulation that seeks to introduce new due diligence requirements aimed at tackling deforestation and forest degradation. This new proposal aims to repeal and replace the existing EU Timber Regulation, which imposed due diligence requirements on certain timber products for several years. These developments reflect the increased scrutiny around deforestation and forest degradation. Companies should therefore be prepared to conduct…