Innovation

At FLA, innovation drives the development of scientific, scalable, and replicable solutions to create sustainable supply chains. We actively incorporate innovation throughout our accreditation, knowledge building, and investigative programs. In addition, FLA collaborates with organizations around the world through strategic partnerships, collective actions, and projects that increase understanding of labor issues in global supply chains and test innovative ideas to improve working conditions.

Our innovation activities currently focus on upstream supply chains, joint risk assessments, child protection, responsible recruitment, and emerging opportunities and challenges. These initiatives build a comprehensive body of knowledge to benefit workers at factories and farms worldwide.

Programs and Projects for Collective Action

We build coalitions among private and public sector actors, engaging directly with target beneficiaries and communities. Our multi-national Harvesting the Future Program transforms working conditions through supply chain mapping, child labor remediation, and more, in commodities such as hazelnuts, sultanas, rose, jasmine, and cotton.

Through our work with the Taiwan Working Group on Responsible Recruitment, we aim to improve conditions for migrant workers in Taiwan’s textile sector by eliminating fees for recruitment and addressing other workplace issues.

Other strategic projects increase understanding of labor issues in global supply chains and test innovative ideas to improve working conditions.

Research and Development

We conduct human rights impact assessments, risk assessments, and create resources and tools for supply chains as part of time-bound pilots. Research studies have focused on the cotton, rubber, and leather sectors. Our traceability guidance document helps companies start supply chain mapping, while the ENABLE Toolkit assists organizations in addressing child labor and forced labor in their upstream supply chains. Additionally, the Converged HREDD Assessment Tool evaluates supplier performance regarding due diligence systems, and WISE serves as a tool for worker engagement.