For Consumers

As a consumer, how can you make socially responsible purchasing decisions?  How, for instance, do you know that the shirt you’re wearing wasn’t made with sweatshop labor?  Even the most well intentioned person can find it challenging.
 
In today’s global economy, products are manufactured in so many different countries under ground rules that are neither certain nor consistent that enforcement of international labor laws is increasingly difficult. These inconsistencies and gaps in enforcement allow far too many companies to use sweatshop labor. The FLA was created to help fill that gap in enforcement and to help provide some measure of assurance that products are made by accredited companies. 

One of FLA’s key strengths is its ability to bring large brand name companies like Nike and adidas to the table and to use their economic power to improve the manufacturing process and strengthen the communities in which those products are produced. Companies that are FLA members agree to manufacture their products in accordance with the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct, which sets standards for how workers around the world should be treated, from a safe and healthy workplace to the right to freely associate and form a union.   To enforce this Code, FLA inspects and monitors working conditions at hundreds of factories around the world that manufacture products for its member companies.  If any violations are found, it works to ensure that they are corrected.

Transparency is at the heart of the FLA process. FLA publicly reports all factory inspections and flags violations when they are found. This openness helps provide consumers with credible information so they can make responsible buying decisions.

Third Party Complaints 

Anyone—a worker, advocate, company, or individual—can contact the Fair Labor Association to report Code violations at a factory supplying products to a member company. Complaints are confidential and are rigorously investigated. When violations are found, the Fair Labor Association publicly reports them and works with all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions.

Corporate Social Responsibility

At the core of FLA’s work monitoring factories and manufacturers to prevent violations of labor and human rights, is the concept of sustainable compliance.   Sustainable compliance is based on the idea that manufacturers who produce goods and those who manage and operate the factories where those good are produced will be more effective and profitable if they approach their work in a more knowledgeable and engaged fashion that also includes building the skills of employees, strengthening the community, and supporting the goals of good government.  This approach ties to a broader movement, known generally as corporate social responsibility (CSR). 

CSR has a variety of meanings and applications, in general refers to the greater interest in, and impact on the work businesses have on community and social issues, ranging from improper treatment of workers to the negative effects on the environment.  The idea that businesses benefit the communities, both locally and globally, is one that helps encourage companies to develop socially and environmentally aware practices and policies.  The idea of being a good corporate citizen is not at odds with  -- and indeed complements -- the idea of good, ethical and profitable business practices.

To see a recent study on the issue of corporate social responsibility in the US, click here.  

To view the 2007 report from the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry entitled, "CSR and the World of Sport", and including an essay from FLA President and CEO, Auret Van Heerdan, click here.

We are pleased that many FLA affiliated have strong CSR programs that complement the work they do with FLA.  To view descriptions of these programs for individual companies, click here.

Additional Resources: For additional information on labor and consumer issues you may want to visit some of the following organizations' web sites.

Other Labor Rights Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives

Corporate Social Responsibility Resources

Human Rights Groups

National and International Governance

Trade Unions and Solidarity Groups

Regional Organizations