U.S. to Blacklist Chinese Forensics Institute Over Xinjiang Human Rights Abuses Within 60 Days

This bill, titled the “Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act,” mandates a specific, immediate action: the U.S. Commerce Department must add the Ministry of Public Security’s Institute of Forensic Science of China to the official U.S. trade blacklist, known as the “entity list.” This action must be completed within 60 days of the law’s passage. The bill is clear that this restriction also applies to the Institute’s aliases, including the Forensic Identification Center and the Material Identification Center.

The “entity list” is the U.S. government’s way of restricting exports, re-exports, and transfers of U.S.-origin items to specific foreign parties. Basically, if you’re on this list, U.S. companies can’t easily do business with you. For the average person, this isn't about what you buy at the store, but it’s a big deal for U.S. tech companies and manufacturers who might supply equipment or software used by this Institute. The goal here is to cut off a specific Chinese government science institute—which allegedly supports high-tech surveillance and repression—from accessing American technology.

The Exception Clause: A Presidential Certification

While the blacklisting is mandatory, the bill does give the President an exit ramp, but it’s a tight one. The President, acting through the Secretary of Commerce, can choose not to add the Institute to the list. However, this waiver must be certified to Congress within the same 60-day window. This certification has to explicitly state that the Institute is not involved in or supporting the repression, forced labor, or high-tech surveillance campaign against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region. This provision is key because it forces the Executive Branch to publicly justify any decision to keep the trade doors open with an entity tied to these human rights concerns, making it a high-stakes political decision.

Why This Matters for the Global Supply Chain

For U.S. businesses, especially those in the tech and scientific equipment sectors, this bill adds another layer of due diligence. If you’re a manager at a company selling specialized lab equipment or advanced computing technology, you need to ensure your supply chain and sales aren't inadvertently funneling resources to this newly restricted entity or its aliases. While the list is specific, it reinforces the broader trend of decoupling where certain U.S. technologies are being restricted from reaching specific Chinese government agencies. For the rest of us, this is a clear signal that the U.S. is using trade restrictions as a direct tool to address specific human rights violations abroad, even if the immediate impact is felt only by a handful of specialized organizations.