In a significant policy shift, the UK government has banned the import of solar panels and renewable energy components linked to forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region. Energy Minister Ed Miliband announced the ban, citing growing evidence of state-sponsored labour abuses along polysilicon production—an essential material in most solar panels.
In the article published by the Independent, Miliband was quoted saying “they have labour transfer schemes where the Government conscripts, very often ethnic minorities, and forces them to work against their will, and sadly, many such workers are placed within renewable industry in China.”
The new regulations aim to ensure that the UK’s clean energy transition does not rely on unethical labor practices, with Miliband set to introduce an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill. Customs authorities will now require traceability documentation from importers to verify supply chain integrity.
This move aligns the UK with similar bans in the U.S. and EU, reinforcing the global trend toward ethical sourcing in energy and electronics. Industry leaders are expected to reassess their supply networks and invest in cleaner, more transparent procurement strategies. It also sends a clear signal that environmental sustainability must go hand-in-hand with human rights.
Read the full article as published in the Independent.
