U.S. Adds Three Chinese Genomics Firms to Forced Labor List

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security added three Chinese genomics companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List on October 28, subjecting their goods to a presumption against entry into the United States unless importers meet the law’s requirements. The companies named in the Federal Register notice were BGI Genomics Co., Ltd., MGI Tech Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen BGI Technology Co., Ltd., also known as BGI Group. The listing does not automatically establish that every product was made with forced labor; it shifts the burden to importers seeking to bring covered goods into the country. DHS said the companies had ties to Xinjiang authorities in genetic testing and forced-labor matters involving Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. The agency’s stated basis for the designation includes alleged links to activities in Xinjiang. The underlying allegations are disputed by the companies and the Chinese government. Under the law, the presumption applies to goods produced by listed entities regardless of where they were manufactured. To qualify for an exception, an importer must follow Customs and Border Protection guidance, answer its information requests and...