TORONTO, Canada – Ralph Lauren Corp. is facing an investigation by Canada’s Competition Bureau over allegations that the U.S. fashion company knowingly used forced labor in its Chinese supply chain, according to a report published by FashionNetwork.com.
The Competition Bureau launched its investigation in response to a complaint filed by the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA), a non-profit organization that advocates for corporate social responsibility. The complaint alleges that Ralph Lauren violated Canadian law by knowingly importing goods produced using forced labor.
The allegations stem from a 2021 report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), which found that Ralph Lauren was among a number of global brands sourcing cotton from Xinjiang, a region in China where the government has been accused of committing genocide against the Uyghur Muslim population. The ASPI report alleged that the Chinese government was using forced Uyghur labor to pick cotton in the region.
In its complaint to the Competition Bureau, the CNCA argued that Ralph Lauren had failed to conduct adequate due diligence to ensure that its supply chain was free from forced labor, and that the company had therefore violated the Canadian Customs Tariff, which prohibits the importation of goods produced using forced labor.
The Competition Bureau has not yet publicly commented on its investigation, but the agency confirmed to FashionNetwork.com that it had received the CNCA’s complaint and was reviewing it.
Ralph Lauren has also not publicly commented on the allegations, but the company has previously stated that it is committed to ethical sourcing and that it does not tolerate forced labor in its supply chain.
The allegations against Ralph Lauren are part of a growing trend of scrutiny of global fashion brands over their use of forced labor in China. In recent months, a number of brands, including H&M, Nike, and Adidas, have come under fire for their alleged use of forced Uyghur labor in their supply chains.
The allegations have prompted calls for governments to take action to prevent the importation of goods produced using forced labor, and for companies to do more to ensure that their supply chains are free from forced labor.
The Competition Bureau’s investigation into Ralph Lauren is a significant development, as it represents the first known instance of a Canadian government agency investigating allegations of forced labor in the fashion industry. The outcome of the investigation could have implications for other global fashion brands that are alleged to be using forced labor in their supply chains. .
