Norway’s forced labour product ban will prohibit the import, export and sale of goods made through forced labour, including child labour, from no later than 14 December 2027. The Norwegian government will implement the European Union regulation intended to prevent products linked to exploitation from entering the European market.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet) said the necessary legislative work to incorporate the rules into Norwegian law has already begun.
Norway’s forced labour product ban will cover imports and exports
The prohibition will apply to products made wholly or partly through forced labour at any stage of their supply chain. This includes the extraction of raw materials, harvesting, production, manufacturing and processing.
Goods covered by the rules will not be allowed to be imported into Norway, placed on the Norwegian market or exported from the country. The measures also include products connected to forced child labour.
Forced labour is already illegal in Norway. However, the new legislation will extend the prohibition to the commercial circulation of products manufactured through exploitation abroad.
Minister of Trade and Industry (Næringsministeren) Cecilie Myrseth said the regulation would also ensure that Norwegian companies operate under similar conditions to businesses in the European Union.
“A well-functioning internal market is crucial for Norway and Norwegian companies,” Myrseth said in the government announcement.
Authorities will investigate suspected goods
Under the new system, competent authorities will be able to open investigations when there is evidence that a product sold, imported or exported may have been made using forced labour.
When a violation is confirmed, authorities can order that the goods be stopped at the border, removed from the market or prevented from being exported. The EU framework also provides for cooperation between national authorities and the European Commission, supported by a database identifying sectors and geographical areas where forced labour risks are higher.
The EU Forced Labour Regulation applies to all products, regardless of their origin or economic sector. It does not target individual countries or industries, but goods for which authorities find evidence of forced labour within the supply chain.
Companies responsible for prohibited products may be required to withdraw them and dispose of them in accordance with the authorities’ decision. Goods can only return to the market once forced labour has been eliminated from the relevant supply chain.
Norway will follow the European timetable
The EU regulation entered into force on 13 December 2024 and will become fully applicable on 14 December 2027. Norway intends to introduce its ban by the same date through its participation in the European Economic Area.
The Norwegian government has nevertheless said the deadline will apply even if the formal incorporation of the regulation into the EEA Agreement takes longer than expected. This decision is intended to prevent a regulatory gap between Norway and the EU internal market.
Norway is not an EU member state, but it implements most internal market legislation through the EEA Agreement. Aligning the rules will therefore reduce the risk that goods prohibited in the European Union could continue to circulate through the Norwegian market.
Forced labour remains a global supply chain problem
The International Labour Organization estimates that 27.6 million people worldwide are in forced labour, including approximately 3.3 million children. Migrant workers face around three times the risk experienced by other workers.
According to the ILO, forced labour occurs across sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, construction, services and domestic work. The organisation estimates that the exploitation generates around $236 billion (€201 billion) in illegal profits every year.
The Norwegian ban will make enforcement dependent on the ability of authorities to identify risks across complex international supply chains. Its impact will therefore depend on cooperation with EU institutions, customs services and authorities in other European countries.
By adopting the regulation alongside the EU, Norway is extending its internal prohibition on forced labour to the goods entering its economy. The measure also reinforces the integration of Norwegian trade policy with the European internal market and creates a common enforcement framework for companies operating across the EEA.
