EU

EU has fast fashion firms in sights with forced labour ban

A related vote on Wednesday makes large firms liable for abuses by their suppliers

The International Labour Organisation estimates that there are close to 28 million people around the world in a situation of forced labour. Picture: PublicEye

Fast fashion, solar panels and other goods made using forced labour could be banned from the EU market as soon as 2027 under new rules adopted by MEPs on Tuesday.

The ban was approved by a large majority, with 555 votes in favour and just six against, during the European Parliament’s final sitting before the June elections.

While the rules don’t mention China, the draft law — it has yet to be legally signed off ...