Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8712
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3461)
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T18:33:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act (H.R. 8712) aims to increase transparency about potential forced labor in supply chains linked to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). It requires public companies to disclose connections to goods produced with forced labor there, helping investors and the public identify human rights risks.
Key Provisions
- SEC Rulemaking (within 180 days of enactment):
- For companies registering securities on a stock exchange, merging with a listed company, or filing certain registration statements: Submit documentation showing if their supply chain (or affiliates') includes goods from XUAR linked to forced labor.
- Forced labor covers labor by Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, or other oppressed groups under Chinese state programs (e.g., "surplus labor transfer," re-education), plus specific industries from U.S. advisories and high-priority enforcement lists under prior laws like Public Law 117-78.
- Documentation must list names, addresses, and sourcing amounts from key facilities (e.g., smelters, farms); verified by an independent, Commission-approved third-party auditor (identity confidential unless waived).
- Annual and Proxy Disclosures:
- In yearly reports or proxy statements (shareholder voting documents): Detail any sourcing/use of XUAR-linked forced labor goods, including revenue/profits, alternative sources, due diligence efforts, affiliated facilities, and involvement in surveillance tech aiding human rights abuses.
- Public Access and Penalties:
- All disclosures made public on SEC website.
- Non-compliance on registrations: Exchange can't approve; 1-year refiling ban.
- Sunset Clause: Provisions repeal after 8 years or if the President certifies China has ended mass internment, forced labor, and other gross human rights violations in XUAR against Uyghurs and similar groups.
- Reporting:
- SEC: Annual compliance assessments and report to Congress.
- Government Accountability Office (GAO): Periodic reviews of SEC oversight.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by adding new subsections:
- Section 12(m): Certification for listings/mergers/registrations.
- Section 13(t): Ongoing disclosures in annual/proxy filings.
- Builds on prior laws (e.g., Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, Public Law 117-78) by mandating supply chain disclosures rather than just import bans.
Potential Impacts
- Companies: Higher compliance costs (audits, due diligence); supply chain shifts away from XUAR; reputational/investor pressure.
- Investors/Public: Easier identification of companies tied to forced labor, enabling "ethical" investment choices.
- Government Agencies: SEC gains rulemaking/enforcement duties; increased workload for audits/reports.
- International Relations: Heightens U.S. scrutiny of China, potentially straining trade ties or prompting retaliation.
Main Stakeholders
- Issuers/Public Companies: Especially those with China supply chains in high-risk sectors (e.g., cotton, tomatoes, polysilicon from XUAR lists).
- SEC: Implements rules, verifies, publishes data.
- Investors/Shareholders: Gain disclosure info.
- Human Rights Groups/Uyghur Advocates: Benefit from transparency.
- U.S. Government (President/Congress/GAO): Oversight and potential repeal trigger.
- Chinese Entities: Indirectly affected via supply chain scrutiny.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands SEC disclosure rules (common for risks like climate/environment); adds specific penalties/enforcement; relies on existing forced labor bans (e.g., Tariff Act of 1930).
- Constitutional: Disclosure mandates are standard (e.g., for material risks); no direct free speech challenges noted, as they target investor protection.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsors; temporary (sunset) nature ties to human rights progress; could influence U.S.-China policy without permanent bans.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3461)
- 2026-05-07: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-05-07: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act — issued 2026-05-07 — PDF (12 pages)