Fair Labor Association

Accountability is at the heart of our mission to improve workers' lives. Companies that demonstrate they meet international labor standards across their supply chains may earn accreditation of their program from the fla - the highest level of recognition a company can achieve. Fla accreditation is the gold standard for a systems approach to human rights compliance and social responsibility and provides a basis for investors and consumers to make informed investing and purchasing choices. It is the only comprehensive program of its kind that fully aligns with the international labor organization, un guiding principles, and the oecd. A company's accreditation signifies that it understands the consequences of its business practices on workplace conditions, has put effective systems in place to prevent workplace abuses, and commits to remediating violations that occur.

The fla researches, develops and tests innovative methods to improve conditions for workers across product supply chains. Our work responds to the complex, multi-layered nature of supply chains and the potential human and labor rights risks within them. Collaboration is a cornerstone of the fla's research and innovation initiatives. We tap into the knowledge and experience of companies, suppliers, governments, and civil society organizations to promote collective action and achieve impact.

A core element of the fla's program is to build the capacity of companies and collegiate licensees to implement and sustain high labor standards through the provision of guidance, resources, and tools to improve working conditions in supply chains. Training and support are provided to assist affiliates in adopting and communicating workplace standards; monitoring factories and farms; assessing and remediating noncompliance issues; and ensuring the provision of confidential reporting channels for workers in their supplier facilities. Fla staff provide one-on-one guidance and training to a wide range of small and large companies. Staff lead social compliance training and assists university affiliates in identifying gaps in licensees' supply chains so that training can be employed where risk is greatest. An important focus is the more than 180 colleges and universities that participate in the fla's university program, through which academic institutions enact their commitment to ethical sourcing of companies manufacturing products that bear university logos.