Start with a bounded question
One product, a defined period and the relevant business relationships; or a specific information request. Agree what is in and out of scope before collecting material.
For Chinese companies operating overseas
Product evidence preparation for the EU Forced Labour Regulation
Product-Level Evidence Office Capability Building
Bring product evidence, responsible action and people together.
We help Chinese companies build the capability to assemble and maintain product-specific evidence across teams, connect it to real action, and prepare to respond to information requests with appropriate professional support.
No new department or prescribed system is required. Organising records does not prove the absence of forced labour, and this service does not guarantee a regulatory or commercial outcome.
Scope at a glance
Use this summary to discuss a suitable starting point; the final scope and deliverables are agreed for each engagement.
Outputs and users
A scope and responsibility overview, information sources and limitations, outstanding questions and action priorities for procurement, operations, HR and compliance.
Build on existing work
Use information your team is entitled to share. Your existing lawyer, auditor or verification provider can retain their role; the work does not require a new department or a particular system.
Agree before work begins
Products, sites, languages, access, depth, deliverables, timing, responsibilities and fees. Independent verification, legal advice and regulatory decisions are separate from this advisory service.
Who does what
The project team and professional interfaces are agreed before work starts. An existing adviser does not need to be replaced.
Your organisation
Confirms the scope and permitted information, makes business decisions, allocates resources and carries out agreed action.
ESG Cooperation Hub
Provides the agreed governance, research, coordination and capability support. The scope document identifies responsible roles, deliverables and review points.
Independent professional roles
Legal advice, independent verification and worker representation keep their own mandates and judgments. Specialist access and appointments are agreed separately.
Before sharing sensitive material
Begin with a general description. Discuss confidentiality, access and safe exchange arrangements before sharing personal data or confidential evidence. About Hub and accountability.
Your operating context
Prepare for product-level questions across borders
For headquarters, overseas operations, procurement, supply chain, compliance and European business teams that need to work from a shared understanding.
Information is spread across teams
Product, sourcing, production and labour information may be held by different functions, facilities and business partners.
Questions need a product-specific response
Companies may need to explain relationships and conditions relevant to a particular product and period, while recognising what remains unknown.
Readiness needs to continue
Supply chains and conditions change. Teams need clear responsibilities for maintaining information and following up on concerns.
The EU Forced Labour Regulation generally applies from 14 December 2027. It prohibits products made with forced labour from being placed or made available on the EU market or exported from it. Read the regulation →
The Commission has published implementation guidelines. FLR does not itself introduce audit or reporting obligations or a prescribed due diligence process; this does not remove applicable information requirements in an investigation. Commission explanation and guidelines. Source checked 4 November 2026.
Service areas
Build a working evidence coordination capability
The scope is tailored to the products, relationships and questions agreed with your team.
Scope and coordination
Establish a shared working scope
Clarify the products, time period, business relationships and teams involved. Identify responsibilities and information already available.
Product and supply chain
Bring relevant information together
Support teams in connecting product, sourcing and production information with the records and explanations available from relevant business partners.
Evidence and action
Assess gaps and follow through
Consider the source, relevance and limitations of information. Where concerns arise, connect evidence preparation with actual investigation, improvement and appropriate follow-up.
Response readiness
Prepare for informed communication
Help teams organise a consistent, supported account of what is known and what requires further work, in coordination with relevant professional advisers.
Capability building
Develop a sustainable team practice
Work alongside your people on an agreed scope, building practical ownership so that the capability can be maintained and improved over time.
What you receive
Practical outputs for the agreed scope
Depending on the engagement, outputs may include:
Scope and responsibility overview
A shared view of the products, relationships, teams and information considered.
Evidence and gap overview
A structured account of available information, its sources and limitations, and questions for further review.
Priorities for action
Recommendations for coordination, follow-up and improvement, reflecting the circumstances and information available.
Team learning and review
Focused discussions and supported practice to help responsible teams maintain and use the capability.
Deliverables, access, responsibilities, languages and timing are agreed for each engagement. Preview fictional output examples; they illustrate format, not client work or verification findings.
Ways to engage
Start with your business priorities
Start with a product
Focus on a defined product or supply chain and establish a practical basis for evidence coordination.
Address a specific concern
Clarify relevant facts, information gaps and actions when a question or concern arises.
Strengthen an ongoing capability
Develop responsibilities and team practices across headquarters, overseas operations and relevant partners.
Our approach
Evidence in service of responsible action
Use what already exists
Build on information and systems the business is entitled to use, with clear responsibilities and attention to access and permissions.
Be clear about limitations
Distinguish records and statements from conditions on the ground. Recognise uncertainty and involve independent expertise where appropriate.
Respect people and information
Consider worker perspectives and safe channels for concerns. Agree confidentiality, privacy and permitted uses of information before work begins.
Before we begin
Questions about the service
Do we need to establish a new department or purchase a system?
No. The evidence office is a working capability that can be developed within existing teams and systems. Its organisation and scope depend on your business needs.
Does the EU regulation require this service or a standard evidence package?
No. This is an advisory and capability-building service. The regulation does not prescribe this office or a universal certificate. Information needs depend on the circumstances and the competent authorities' processes.
Can evidence preparation establish that forced labour is absent?
Organising records can support understanding and follow-up, but documents alone do not establish actual conditions. Findings may require further investigation, worker engagement or independent verification, as appropriate.
Does this service guarantee a regulatory or commercial outcome?
No. Decisions remain with the company and relevant authorities. Legal advice, independent verification and worker representation have their own roles and may require separate arrangements.
How are confidential and third-party materials handled?
We agree access, confidentiality, permitted uses and rights to deliverables before work starts. Third-party materials remain subject to applicable permissions and terms.
Discuss a suitable scope
Start with a product, question or team
Tell us about your sector, markets and the capability or concern you would like to discuss.
hello@esghub.hk · Please keep sensitive personal information and confidential case files out of the initial enquiry.