For Consumers

As a consumer, how can you make socially responsible purchasing decisions? For instance, can you be sure that the shirt you are wearing was not made using sweatshop labor? Even the most well-intentioned person can find this challenging.

In today’s global economy, products are manufactured in a complex supply chain that often involves factories in several locations around the world. The factories in developing countries often compete on the basis of a far more competitive price than their Western counterparts, which could result in exploitative and inhumane workplace conditions. In the absence of effective labor law enforcement by local governments, it becomes extremely challenging to regulate the manufacturing sector. The FLA was created to help fill that gap in enforcement and implement a system that would independently verify companies’ efforts to help put in place labor standards that protect workers’ rights.

A key FLA strength is its ability to bring leading brand name companies to the table and encourage them to use their economic power to improve workplace conditions in factories. FLA-affiliated companies agree to manufacture their products in accordance with the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct, which sets standards for how workers should be treated, from a safe and healthy workplace to the right to freely associate and form a union. To enforce this Code, the FLA conducts due diligence on company internal monitoring programs through unannounced external audits. If any violations are found, the FLA works with the company and factory to ensure that they are corrected.

Transparency is at the heart of the FLA process. The FLA publicly reports on all independent external monitoring audits 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 a Code violation at a factory supplying products to an FLA-affiliated 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

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has a variety of meanings and applications, but in the FLA context refers to labor-focused CSR. Companies affiliated with the FLA demonstrate their commitment to labor-focused CSR by implementing programs to improve workplace conditions in factories that manufacture their products.