1. What are the key national laws on forced labour, modern slavery and/or human rights in your country?
  2. Are there any sector-specific rules?
  3. Are there any obligations for companies, e.g. reporting, due diligence, supply chain transparency?
  4. Are there any government reporting requirements?
  5. Are there any penalties and enforcement mechanisms?
  6. Potential criminal, civil or administrative penalties for violations?
  7. Risks for directors or executives?
  8. Upcoming laws, regulations, etc?

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France
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1. What are the key national laws on forced labour, modern slavery and/or human rights in your country?

  • Law No. 2013-711 of August 5, 2013, transposing the  European Directive 2011/36/EU of April 5, 2011;
  • Law No. 2016-444 of April 13, 2016, aimed at strengthening the fight against the prostitution system and supporting prostituted individuals;
  • “Sapin II” Law of December 9, 2016, although focused on the fight against corruption, includes elements related to corporate responsibility, which can apply to human rights violations in supply chains;
  • Law No. 2017-399 of March 27, 2017, relating to the duty of vigilance, which is not exclusively dedicated to forced labour or modern slavery but requires large companies to implement vigilance mechanisms to prevent human rights violations, including forced labour, in their supply chains.

2. Are there any sector-specific rules?

Certain sectors, such as the textile, electronics, or mining industries, are particularly monitored due to the increased risks of forced labour in their supply chains.

3. Are there any obligations for companies, e.g. reporting, due diligence, supply chain transparency?

Yes.

As an example, the vigilance plan provided by the Corporate Duty of Vigilance Law of March 27, 2017, requires large French companies to take measures to identify, prevent, and solve risks related to human rights, including forced labour, within their supply chains and subsidiaries. 

4. Are there any government reporting requirements?

 No.

5. Are there any penalties and enforcement mechanisms?

Yes.

6. Potential criminal, civil or administrative penalties for violations?

The French Criminal Code criminalizes forced labour, human trafficking, modern slavery, and the exploitation of individuals under abusive conditions.  The penalty provided consists of a substantial fine and a lengthy prison sentence.

The failure to implement a vigilance plan may lead to the company's criminal liability under Law No. 2017-399 of March 27, 2017, relating to the duty of vigilance.

7. Risks for directors or executives?

Yes.

8. Upcoming laws, regulations, etc?

No.