Supply Chain Mapping Priorities for 2026: EU Battery Regulation and EU Forced Labour Regulation

This has been an eventful year for regulatory news. From tariffs, simplification and omnibus proposals, and the whiplash around the EU Deforestation Regulation, 2025 has left some companies wondering what to prioritize in 2026. Yet the guidance for two major pieces of EU legislation are set to be published next year, impacting a large number of multinational companies: the EU Forced Labour Regulation and the EU Battery Regulation. Both laws require tier-N visibility, collection of supplier data and due diligence, with steep penalties for non-compliance. Here's how companies can prioritize compliance while waiting for further guidance.

Start with mapping

As with most global supply chain due diligence regulations, supply chain mapping is the foundation for compliance. Tier-n visibility is an essential element of both the EU Forced Labour Regulation and the EU Battery Regulation.

If competent authorities find credible evidence of forced or child labor and subsequently launch an investigation under the EU Forced Labour Regulation, any unknown supplier may result in potential liability. Similarly, the EU Battery Regulation has a "social and environmental risk" category that must assessed for each in scope battery. The first step for assessing such risks is to map and identify whether the supply chain contains any banned or sanctioned suppliers.

Identify opportunities to streamline data collection

A common theme across many EU regulations is that many require companies to collect similar data points from suppliers. Identifying where those requirements overlap and ensuring that suppliers are not being asked for the same information multiple times can increase supplier responsiveness and make due diligence a lot less painful.

Get ahead of deadlines

Waiting until the last minute to get a solution in place creates unnecessary pressure on your suppliers, and your business. Get ready early so you aren't missing data later.

The EU Battery Passport is set to go into effect in February 2027, and the EU Forced Labour Regulation will begin enforcement in December 2027. To learn more about Sourcemap can help you prioritize what's coming next in supply chain due diligence, reach out to our team of experts.