INTRODUCTION
The World Federation of the Sporting
Goods Industry (WFSGI) was formed in 1978
to promote the world's sporting activities,
to standardize the size of equipment and
the rules of sport, to improve the standards
of quality for sporting goods, and to promote
fair trade in sporting goods internationally.
WFSGI currently consists of a diverse membership
from over 50 countries including large international
sports companies and small national companies;
companies that serve as suppliers to other
companies and companies that market directly
to consumers. Also represented are the federations
of the sporting industries of individual
countries whose members contribute to a
total of over 12,000 enterprises - employing
many hundreds of thousands of people -,
which are affiliated to WFSGI in some way.
The
WFSGI's Committee on Ethics and Fair Trade
(CEFT) developed a Model Code of Conduct
in 1997 following consultation with its
constituent federations and other members,
and on going dialogue with international
agencies and non-governmental organizations.
The Code was designed as a model for companies
committed to ensuring that their operations
satisfy the highest ethical standards in
the global marketplace, and since 1997 many
members companies have introduced their
own codes and are monitoring compliance
with those codes using internal and external
monitors. In view of developments in thinking
and dialogue on international trade since
1997, and as a result of further dialogue
with external organizations representing
the rights of workers and children, WFSGI
has decided to revise the Code in 2000.
PREAMBLE
The ideals of the WFSGI are the
ideals of sport, and the organization seeks
to promote fairness, honesty, mutual understanding
and high ethical standards not only on the
sports field but also in the factories which
make sports products. WFSGI members recognize
the important role they play in the global
economy and their influence on the social
and economic conditions under which sporting
goods are manufactured and produced. That
influence is exercised both through their
actions as employers and far more profoundly
through their decisions as customers of
companies that serve as suppliers of goods
and services.
The
relationship between WFSGI member companies
and their suppliers, and in turn any sub
contractors involved in the production process,
must be based on trust, mutual respect and
common values. WFSGI is committed to fostering
a sports industry in which member companies
actively build business partnerships with
those who share the values of sport and
take responsibility for making the values
real through active engagement.
These
Principles are based on the international
labour standards outlined in the relevant
Conventions of the International Labour
Organization (ILO). WFSGI also acknowledges
that companies operate under different legal,
economic, social and cultural environments
and these differences merit understanding
and respect. Members must ensure that all
activities related to the production of
their goods at least comply with all relevant
applicable mandatory legal requirements.
LEGAL
COMPLIANCE
Member companies and the companies
that produce goods for them ("employers")
should operate in full compliance with national
and local laws, rules and regulations relevant
to their business operations.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Local industry standards should
prevail when higher than the local legal
requirements. In countries where the legal
requirements fall short of internationally
recognized standards, it is recommended
that members should apply the following
minimum criteria:
Forced
Labour
Employers shall not use forced
labor, whether in the form of prison labor,
indentured labor, bonded labor, or otherwise.
No employee can be compelled to work through
force, the threat of force, or intimidation
of any form.
