Maxeon Provides Update on CBP Detention of its Solar Panels

Core Viewpoint - Maxeon Solar Technologies is facing import detentions of its solar panels from Mexico into the U.S. due to allegations of insufficient documentation regarding compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which the company strongly disputes [1][2][3]. Group 1: Company Actions and Responses - Maxeon has provided extensive documentation to U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to demonstrate compliance with UFLPA, including tens of thousands of pages and detailed supply chain maps [2][3]. - The company has made over 8,000 shipments from Mexico to the U.S. since 2022, all claimed to be in compliance with UFLPA [2]. - Maxeon has initiated the Application for Further Review (AFR) process for its detained products, hoping for a more objective review by a new team of CBP reviewers [6]. Group 2: Financial and Reputational Impact - The ongoing detentions are causing significant financial and reputational harm to Maxeon and its U.S. customers, which include solar power plant developers and small businesses [5]. - The company’s CEO highlighted that the measures taken to ensure a clean supply chain have cost hundreds of millions of dollars more than competitors [2]. Group 3: Legislative Context - The UFLPA was enacted in December 2020 as a response to allegations of forced labor involving Uyghurs in China, and Maxeon has been a vocal advocate for compliance within the solar industry [2][3]. - The company has consistently emphasized that none of its supply chains involve entities listed under the UFLPA, with some supply chains not even entering China [3].