Malaysia's Brightway Proves Disposable Gloves Aren't Made With Forced Labor
Effectively immediately, CBP no longer will detain disposable gloves produced by Malaysian company Brightway Holding at U.S. ports of entry because that company has been able to prove that its gloves were not made using forced labor.
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CBP had issued a withhold release order against Brightway's disposable gloves in December 2021 (see 2112200021) after an investigation of the company identified 10 of the International Labor Organization's indicators of forced labor. A May 2021 Reuters article described CBP's investigation as well as alleged forced labor conditions and Brightway's response.
But since the issuance of the WRO, "the Brightway Group has taken actions to fully remediate the forced labor indicators within its manufacturing process," CBP said in an Oct. 11 cargo systems message. The agency modified its WRO as a result.
“Facilitation of legitimate trade is just as important as CBP’s enforcement against illegal trade practices,” Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller said in a release. “When companies can document compliance with U.S. trade laws, forced labor or otherwise, they’ll have access to the U.S. market. It’s that simple.”
CBP didn't detail what steps Brightway took to remove the order from its disposable gloves, other than to say in general terms that interested parties may request the modification or revocation of an WRO or finding.
"CBP does not modify WROs or Findings until the agency has evidence demonstrating that the producer of subject merchandise no longer produces, manufactures, or mines the subject goods using forced labor," CBP said.
According to Brightway's website, the company produces nitrile, latex, cleanroom and neoprene disposable gloves.
In April 2023, CBP allowed imports of another disposable gloves maker from Malaysia after that company received a WRO in 2021. CBP modified the WRO on imports of synthetic disposable gloves manufactured by the Smart Glove group of companies (see 2304260069) after determining that Smart Glove took "various measures" in response to the WRO, CBP said in April 2023.