UK Plans Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence for Large Businesses

The UK government has announced plans to introduce mandatory human rights due diligence requirements for large businesses and new powers to remove goods linked to forced labor from the Great Britain market. In a parliamentary statement on 4 November 2026, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed that the proposed regime would apply to UK companies with global turnover exceeding £350 million and overseas businesses generating more than £350 million in UK revenue.

 

The proposals follow a government review that found the UK's existing approach to preventing forced labor fragmented and overly dependent on voluntary corporate reporting. Although the Modern Slavery Act 2015 established important transparency requirements, the government concluded that stronger measures were needed to align with international standards and practices adopted by major trading partners.

 

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Under the proposed legislation, qualifying businesses would be required to identify, assess and address human rights abuses and labor exploitation risks across their operations and supply chains. The framework would follow a risk-based approach aligned with the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. A regulator would also gain powers to investigate businesses and order the withdrawal of goods where forced labor is identified and due diligence obligations have not been met.

 

The requirements would apply across the UK for services and in Great Britain for goods. Northern Ireland would follow the EU Forced Labor Regulation under the Windsor Framework. To support implementation, the government plans to establish a centralized guidance hub on GOV.UK, providing businesses with practical tools, templates and compliance information.

 

Jonathan Reynolds, UK Business Secretary, emphasized the need to strengthen protections against labor exploitation. "The British public rightly expects that products sold in the United Kingdom are not tainted by forced labor. Responsible businesses should not be undercut by those that turn a blind eye to exploitation." The government plans to introduce the legislation when parliamentary time allows, with detailed enforcement arrangements still to be finalized.

 

Source: UK Parliament