Eddie Bauer ebpcstatementfinal Page 1
May
12,
2005
Contact:
Katherine
Limon
(202)
262-0665
Fair Labor Association Accredits Eddie Bauer Global Labor Practice Program
Washington, D.C. The Board of Directors of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) voted
today to accredit Eddie Bauer's compliance program, signifying satisfactory completion
of the company's three-year initial implementation period and a finding by the FLA that
the company is in substantial compliance with FLA requirements to implement a rigorous
workplace code of conduct in factories making the company's products. .
By accrediting Eddie Bauer's Global Labor Practice Program, the FLA Board formally
recognized that the program has fulfilled the minimum requirements set forth by the FLA
and in the Monitoring Plan that Eddie Bauer submitted to the FLA in 2002. In evaluating
a company's program for accreditation, the FLA monitoring staff reviews independent
factory monitoring and verification reports of supplier facilities conducted by accredited
external monitors, and verifies implementation of monitoring protocols, training
programs and auditing systems. Having met these requirements, Eddie Bauer has
achieved the designation, Fair Labor Association Accredited Compliance Program.
SM
"The assessment is designed to evaluate the degree to which the company has achieved
the objectives set in the implementation period," said Auret van Heerden, FLA President
and Chief Executive Officer. "In Eddie Bauer's review, the Board not only found them
to be in compliance but noted an exemplary display of commitment in the spirit of
corporate responsibility."
The Global Labor Practice Program has continued to drive the company's commitment to
workplace standards in the wake of company restructuring. This has been reflected in
their progressive training program on issues such as monitoring and remediation, as well
as collaboration with civil society organizations in countries where their goods are made.
Notably, Eddie Bauer investigated the impact tsunami disaster had on its field offices,
suppliers and workers in the affected countries and developed a plan of action. An Eddie
Bauer Tsunami Aid Program was subsequently developed, and support given to
organizations for local humanitarian and relief efforts.
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