HR 119 – Forced Labor Certification Act
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119hr2310ih
Section 101. Short title
Section 101. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Forced Labor Certification Act of 2023″.”
Sec. 102. Findings and purpose
The Congress finds that:
(1) The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been plagued by severe conflict, corruption, and state-sponsored violence, leading to widespread human rights abuses, including child labor, forced labor, and other forms of exploitation.
(2) The international community, including the United States, has a moral obligation to take action to address these abuses and promote the human rights of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
(3) The United States should lead by example in promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law, particularly in countries that are major producers of cobalt used in consumer electronics, which is essential to many technologies used by American businesses and households.
Sec. 103. Definitions
Definitions
Here are the definitions used in this Act:
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Appropriate Congressional Committees.
The term ‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means—
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate. -
Artisanal and small-scale mining.
The term ‘‘artisanal and small-scale mining’’—
(A) means mining with minimal to no mechanization;
(B) includes the use of intensive hand tools. -
Child Labor.
The term ‘‘child labor’’ means work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, and their dignity, including work that is harmful to the health, safety, and morals of children as such term is commonly used by the International Labour Organization.
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Covered Goods.
The term ‘‘covered goods’’ means goods, wares, articles, or merchandise that contain cobalt refined in the PRC.
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DRC.
The term ‘‘DRC’’ means the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Forced Labor.
The term ‘‘forced labor’’ has the meaning given that term in section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1307).
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PRC.
The term ‘‘PRC’’ means the People’s Republic of China.
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