Sciences Po Law School and Squire Patton Boggs: Breakfast roundtable – EU Forced Labour Regulation

Sciences Po Paris Law School and Squire Patton Boggs are pleased to invite you to a breakfast roundtable dedicated to examining the challenges raised by the EU Forced Labour Regulation.

With the confirmed participation of the European Commission, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and L’Oréal, the panels will compile the perspectives of policymakers, economic operators, practitioners and academics.

As of 14 December 2027, enforcement of the EU Forced Labour Regulation will begin, prohibiting the placing on the EU market (and the export) of products made with forced labour.

Rather than imposing some specific obligations to undertakings, this regulation operates through a structured enforcement process of so-called due diligence policies. This raises a number of questions, particularly with regards to the substantive standards it incorporates, its extraterritorial implications, the extent to which economic operators inside and outside the EU are subject to enforceable obligations, or the evidentiary thresholds authorities will apply in their enforcement activities.

The event will explore those distinctive features of the regulation and assess its practical implications for businesses and other stakeholders.

Confirmed speakers:

• Professor Marie Mercat-Bruns, University Professor of Private Law, Sciences Po Paris Law School

• Miranda Fajerman, Labour and Human Rights lawyer and Technical Specialist on Forced Labour at the International Labour Organization (ILO)

• Alexia Ruvoletto, Legal and Policy Officer within the Forced Labour Team of DG GROW at the European Commission

• Perrine Delahousse, Associate General Counsel for Compliance & Regulation, L’Oréal

• Marion Seranne, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

• Dr. Thomas Delille, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

Programme:

8:30 a.m. – Registration & Networking Breakfast

8:50 a.m. – Opening Remarks and Introduction to the Partnership between Sciences Po Law School and the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation

9:00 a.m. – Introduction by Pr. Marie Mercat-Bruns, Full Professor, Sciences Po Paris Law School

9:10 a.m. – Session 1: Understanding the EU Forced Labour Regulation: Principles, Obligations, Scope, and Interaction with Other ESG Frameworks and Third-Countries Legislations

What are the principles, obligations and scope of the EU Forced Labour Regulation, and how does the Regulation interact with other ESG frameworks?

• The international standards the Forced Labour Regulation incorporates by reference

• Due diligence and the risk-based approach under the Forced Labour Regulation and other ESG frameworks

• The Forced Labour Regulation and third-country forced labour instruments

Speakers:

• Miranda Fajerman, Labour and Human Rights lawyer and Technical Specialist on Forced Labour at the International Labour Organization (ILO)

• Alexia Ruvoletto, Legal and Policy Officer within the Forced Labour Team of DG GROW at the European Commission

• Perrine Delahousse, Associate General Counsel for Compliance & Regulation, L’Oréal

• Dr. Thomas Delille, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

10:20 a.m. – Session 2: Navigating Compliance and Enforcement under the EU Forced Labour Regulation

Will the Forced Labour Regulation be enforceable in practice, and what does it concretely require from businesses today?

• Investigations: who will be targeted, and how?

• Evidence and decisions: effectiveness vs. rights of defense

• Building a compliance roadmap

Speakers:

• Professor Marie Mercat-Bruns, University Professor of Private Law, Sciences Po Paris Law School

• Alexia Ruvoletto, Legal and Policy Officer within the Forced Labour Team of DG GROW at the European Commission

• Perrine Delahousse, Associate General Counsel for Compliance & Regulation, L’Oréal

• Marion Seranne, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

11:30 a.m. – Conclusion and Networking Coffee

Registration required. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.