CCC Reference Guide on Code Implementation & Verification
Section 3. MSI's and other overseeing mechanisms

Fair Labor Association (FLA)

The FLA grew out of the Apparel Industry Partnership (AIP), which was an initiative of the US President Bill Clinton, established in 1996 to address labour rights standards in the apparel industry. The FLA itself came into being in 1998.

The FLA has as members around a dozen of the largest and best-known companies that market garments and shoes. In addition to companies, participating organisations include about 175 US-based colleges and universities. Approximately 1100 suppliers are taking part in the FLA's licensee program. All these suppliers are licensed by US-based colleges and universities to produce (mainly) sports related products that bear their school logos.

The FLA is governed by a Board that consists of the three categories of participating organisations (companies, universities and NGOs). These are equally represented. The FLA also has an NGO Advisory Council, which consists of representatives of around 30 NGOs. Trade union organisations pulled out of the AIP, already in 1998, mainly after disputes over code content. They are, therefore, not involved in the governance or operation of the FLA.

The FLA Charter Agreement outlines an industry-wide code of conduct and monitoring system. The FLA accredits the independent monitors, verifies that companies are in compliance with the code of conduct, and serves as a source of information for the public.

The FLA accredits other organisations that then serve as "independent external monitors", investigating adherence to the FLA code in the supply chains of member companies. This happens through factory inspections and the filing of reports. In 2002, the FLA mandated the public disclosure of the results of these reports. Where non-compliance is identified, participating companies are required to implement a remediation plan. The FLA also has a confidential complaint procedure, which is open to any person or organisation.

More information:

Contact:
Fair Labor Association
1505 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
USA

E-mail: info@fairlabor.org
Tel: ++1-202-898.10.00
Fax: ++1-202-898.90.50

Relevant resources:

• FLA Workplace Code of Conduct
  http://www.fairlabor.org/all/code/index.html

• http://www.fairlabor.org

• In its Codes Memo , from June 2004, the Maquila Solidarity Network takes a closer look at some of the FLA's projects, and further focuses on recent developments and trends in company Corporate Social Responsibility reports, including analyses of the recent reports of Gap, adidas, and several Canadian retailers. They also profile some new resources on CSR reporting and relevant issues that need to be addressed in those reports. Go to:
  www.maquilasolidarity.org/resources/codes/memo17.htm

• Oct 2003, Press release send out by the CPA and the FLA on the Jaqalanka victory

• Sept 2003, Fair Labor Association to Mediate Round Table Discussions Focusing on Jaqalanka

• June 2003, FLA/WRC Collaborate at BJ&B

• June 2003, FLA releases first annual report

• Nov 2002, Gains and Losses at the FLA - Maquila Solidarity Network

• May 2002, Recent developments in the FLA

• Nov-2001, Memo, Codes Memo: Number 9 - Maquila Solidarity Network

• August 2001, Memo: codes update - Maquila Solidarity Network FLA Accredits New External Monitors

• 5 Mar 2001, Report on the latest developments with the FLA - The Maquila Solidarity network

• Okt 2000, News from the multi-stakeholder initiatives FLA, SA8000, WRC, ETI and CCC

• Nov-1998, Apparel Partnership: SWEATSHOP AGREEMENT