Fast Retailing said in July 2021 that none of its production partners were in Xinjiang and in May 2023 that there is no forced labour in its supply chains.

Why this label

Fast Retailing said in July 2021 that none of its production partners were in Xinjiang^S2 and in May 2023 that it would cooperate to reaffirm there is no forced labour in its supply chains^S5. CBP found in 2021 that Uniqlo had not shown its shirts were free of forced labour^S1. That was a finding on documents, not a finding that forced labour was used. Uniqlo said it gave proof the raw cotton did not come from the targeted group^S1. The French inquiry was dropped for lack of jurisdiction^S3, and the May 2023 complaint ended in a refusal to investigate confirmed on appeal in February 2025^S6. Neither step tested the facts. No independent audit or ruling on the supply chain was found. The records do not permit a conclusion either way.

Current procedural position

Company statements of 2 July 2021^S2 and 17 May 2023^S5. CBP ruling of 10 May 2021 on documents^S1. French complaint of May 2023 ended in a refusal to investigate, confirmed on appeal in February 2025, without a ruling on the facts^S6.

Evidence score: 44 of 100

The score grades how well the record establishes this assessment. It is not a score of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.. Score = source authority + directness + corroboration + procedural accuracy + currency + reproducibility.

Timeline

1. 10 May 2021CBP ruling on the shirts^S1
2. 2 July 2021Fast Retailing says no production partners are in Xinjiang^S2
3. 12 April 2023French inquiry dropped^S3
4. 17 May 2023Fast Retailing statement on the new complaint^S5
5. 5 February 2025Paris appeal court confirms the refusal to investigate the May 2023 complaint^S6

Related cases

• US Customs and Border Protection and UniqloUS Customs and Border Protection. Regulatory. Not published.Stage: Ruling dated 10 May 2021 upholding the detention.
  • 10 May 2021 CBP finds the documents insufficient to show the shirts were not made in part with forced labour^S1
• Complaint by Sherpa and others against Uniqlo France, Inditex, SMCP and SkechersFrench National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (crimes against humanity unit), Paris investigating judge and Paris Court of Appeal investigation chamber. Criminal. Not published.Stage: Inquiry halted on 12 April 2023. The complaint of 16 May 2023 met an order of lack of competence and refusal to investigate in May 2024, confirmed on appeal in February 2025^S6. A further complaint was announced.
  • 12 April 2023 Inquiry halted for lack of jurisdiction^S3
  • 5 February 2025 Paris Court of Appeal investigation chamber confirms the May 2024 order^S6

Revision history

• 25 October 2026 Assessment first published with label Unresolved.

Have a record that changes this assessment? See corrections and responses.

Sources

1. S5Tier C France: NGOs ask investigating judge to open judicial investigation to clarify responsibilities of multinational garment companies allegedly profiting from Uyghurs forced labourBusiness and Human Rights Resource Centre (Libération with AFP). Press report. 17 May 2023.Reproduces an AFP report naming Uniqlo France and quoting Fast Retailing. It does not establish any supply chain fact.
2. S1Tier C U.S. Blocked Uniqlo Shirts on Xinjiang Forced-Labor ConcernsBloomberg (via BloombergQuint). Press report. Not shown. Cites a CBP ruling of 10 May 2021.Reports the detention, the CBP reasoning and the company response. It does not show a ruling number or a byline.
3. S4Tier C Fashion groups face new Uyghur forced labour complaint in FranceJusticeInfo.net (AFP). Press report. 17 May 2023.Reports the new complaint and company denials. It does not report any judicial step after filing.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
4. S2Tier C France probes fashion retailers for concealing 'crimes against humanity' in XinjiangReuters (via Nippon.com). Press report. 2 July 2021.Report by Benoit Van Overstraeten on the inquiry opening and the Fast Retailing statement. Its status was overtaken in 2023.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
5. S3Tier C France drops fashion group probe over Uyghur labourJusticeInfo.net (AFP). Press report. 4 May 2023.Reports the April 2023 closure for lack of jurisdiction. It is not a finding on the facts.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
6. S6Tier C Travail forcé des Ouïghours : une plainte en France déclarée irrecevable mais une autre bientôt déposéeFashionUnited (AFP). Press report. 6 February 2025.AFP report with no named reporter. It says the Paris appeal court's investigation chamber confirmed a May 2024 order of lack of competence and refusal to investigate, and that a new complaint was planned. It does not give the court's reasons.Link working, checked 25 October 2026

Other claims about Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

• Supported63
  US Customs and Border Protection blocked a shipment of Uniqlo shirts at the Port of Los Angeles in January 2021 and ruled on 10 May 2021 that the company had not shown the shirts were free of forced labour.
  Press report, May 20213 records citedProduct claims
• Outdated71
  Reuters reported in July 2021 that French prosecutors had opened an investigation into Uniqlo France and three other retailers over suspected concealment of crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.
  Press report, 2 July 20214 records citedCorporate status