Your Uzbekistani customer or buyer is asking for ESG information. Here is what the regulatory environment requires — and what international buyers need from you.
Uzbekistan is undergoing significant economic reform and is a major producer and exporter of cotton, gold, natural gas, and uranium. Uzbekistan's ESG story has been transformed by the government's elimination of state-organised forced labour in the cotton sector — a change that has allowed international fashion brands to resume Uzbek cotton sourcing after years of boycotts. The Tashkent Stock Exchange is developing ESG disclosure requirements. Uzbekistan's EU-Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) and its GSP+ trade preference status create direct exposure to EU CSRD and CSDDD supply chain requirements. The cotton sector's forced labour reforms are the defining ESG narrative for Uzbekistan internationally.
Key regulations in Uzbekistan — ESG Supplier Guide
Uzbekistan Cotton Pledge — Forced Labour Reforms
The Uzbekistan Cotton Pledge — a commitment by international fashion brands to avoid Uzbek cotton due to state-organised forced labour — was lifted in March 2022 following verification by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that the Uzbek government had eliminated the practice of mobilising citizens to pick cotton. The ILO's Better Cotton Initiative and Cotton Campaign have verified the reforms. International fashion brands are now able to source Uzbek cotton, but must conduct ongoing due diligence to ensure that individual-level forced labour and child labour risks are managed. The Cotton Campaign continues to monitor Uzbekistan's cotton sector.
EU GSP+ — Generalised Scheme of Preferences
Uzbekistan benefits from the EU's GSP+ trade preference scheme, which provides duty-free access to the EU market for developing countries that ratify and implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environment, and governance. GSP+ status is conditional on ongoing compliance. The EU monitors Uzbekistan's compliance with GSP+ conditions, including ILO core labour standards. Uzbekistani exporters to the EU benefit from GSP+ tariff preferences but must ensure their products comply with EU product regulations and supply chain sustainability requirements.
EU CSDDD — Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
EU companies sourcing from Uzbekistan — particularly in cotton, textiles, gold, and natural gas — will be required under CSDDD to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence. Uzbekistani suppliers will receive questionnaires on labour practices (particularly freedom from forced labour), environmental management, and anti-corruption compliance. The cotton sector faces particular scrutiny given its forced labour history.
Uzbekistan Green Economy Transition and NDC
Uzbekistan has submitted an NDC to the UNFCCC committing to a 35% GHG emissions reduction by 2030. Uzbekistan's Green Economy Transition programme promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable industrial development. The Aral Sea environmental disaster — one of the world's worst environmental catastrophes, caused by Soviet-era irrigation of cotton fields — remains a major environmental legacy issue for Uzbekistan's cotton sector.
Uzbekistan PDPL & Cyber Obligations
Uzbekistan's Law on Personal Data (2019, amended 2022) requires data controllers to notify the Agency for Personal Data Protection of personal data breaches within 24 hours of becoming aware of the breach. Uzbekistan's State Inspectorate for Supervision in the Field of Informatization and Telecommunications (Uzinfocom) oversees telecommunications cybersecurity. The National Cybersecurity Centre coordinates national cyber incident response. Suppliers processing Uzbekistani customer data must align incident response to the 24-hour notification window — one of Central Asia's tightest breach notification deadlines.
What this means for you as a supplier
Uzbekistani cotton exporters can now supply international fashion brands following the lifting of the Cotton Pledge in 2022, but must demonstrate ongoing compliance with ILO labour standards and absence of forced labour. EU buyers subject to CSDDD will require supply chain due diligence evidence from Uzbekistani suppliers from July 2029. Gold exporters face responsible sourcing requirements from international buyers. Natural gas exporters face GHG emissions reporting requirements from EU energy company partners. All Uzbekistani companies seeking international financing should prepare for IFC Performance Standards compliance assessments.
Key dates
March 2022
Uzbekistan Cotton Pledge lifted — international brands can resume Uzbek cotton sourcing with ongoing due diligence
2030
Uzbekistan NDC target — 35% GHG emissions reduction; 25% renewable electricity
July 2029
CSDDD Phase 1 — largest EU companies must conduct supply chain due diligence including Uzbekistani suppliers
Cotton sector: from boycott to compliance — the Uzbekistan transformation
Uzbekistan's cotton sector was subject to an international boycott for over a decade due to the Uzbek government's practice of mobilising citizens — including children and public sector workers — to pick cotton during the harvest season. The Cotton Campaign coordinated a pledge by over 300 international fashion brands to avoid Uzbek cotton. Following sustained reform by the Uzbek government, verified by the ILO through its third-party monitoring programme, the Cotton Campaign lifted the pledge in March 2022. International fashion brands can now source Uzbek cotton, but must conduct ongoing due diligence. The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) operates in Uzbekistan and provides a framework for responsible cotton sourcing. Uzbekistani cotton producers and exporters should engage with BCI and maintain documentation of their labour practices to facilitate buyer due diligence.
Aral Sea: the environmental legacy that buyers will ask about
The Aral Sea — once the world's fourth-largest lake — has shrunk to less than 10% of its original size due to Soviet-era diversion of its feeder rivers for cotton irrigation. The Aral Sea disaster is one of the world's worst environmental catastrophes, causing desertification, salt and pesticide dust storms, loss of fisheries, and public health impacts across the region. International buyers conducting ESG due diligence on Uzbekistani cotton suppliers will ask about water use and the environmental legacy of cotton production in the Aral Sea basin. Uzbekistani cotton producers should document their water efficiency measures, irrigation practices, and contribution to Aral Sea basin restoration efforts. The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) coordinates regional restoration efforts.
Last reviewed: April 2026. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulations change — verify current requirements with a qualified adviser.
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