Report Publication Overview
On September 10, 2025, JETRO's Research Department Americas Division and New York Office published "Legislative Trends on Supply Chains and Human Rights (US Edition, 2nd Edition)". This report is a revised version of the first edition published in November 2024, reflecting the latest legislative trends in the United States.
Background and Necessity of the Report
With the expansion of global supply chains, companies are strongly required to work on human rights respect throughout their domestic and international business operations. While conventional approaches centered on voluntary initiatives based on international declarations and guidance, Europe and the United States have determined that voluntary measures have limitations and are accelerating moves to mandate the following through legislation:
- Legal obligation of human rights due diligence
- Prohibition system for import and export of forced labor products
- Integration of human rights elements in trade control systems
Three Perspectives of US Legislation
This report systematically analyzes legislative trends in the United States from the following three perspectives:
1. Import Regulations
- Import prohibition measures for products produced by forced labor
- Enforcement strengthening by Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
2. Export Control and Economic Sanctions
- Sanctions against foreign companies and individuals involved in human rights violations
- Incorporation of human rights considerations in technology exports
3. Trade Agreements
- Strengthening labor and human rights clauses in free trade agreements
- Requirements for trading partners to comply with human rights standards
Updates in Second Edition
About 10 months have passed since the first edition in November 2024, and important changes have occurred in related legislation and enforcement policies in the United States. The second edition reflects the latest legislative amendments, enforcement cases, and judicial trends, organizing new compliance requirements faced by Japanese companies.
Report Details
Publication Date: September 2025 Author: JETRO Research Department Americas Division, JETRO New York Office Total Pages: 17 pages Format: PDF file (1.2MB)
Impact on Companies and Utilization Value
For Japanese companies doing business in the US market, human rights due diligence is a legal obligation, and violations can result in serious risks including import suspension, sanctions, and transaction termination. This report demonstrates specific legal requirements and countermeasures, providing practical value to support companies in building compliance systems.