Dear Campus/Internal Buyer,
Beginning February 4, 2019, UConn will be participating in a pilot program of the Fair Labor Association to test implementation of a pre-approved promotional product suppliers list. As you may know, UConn is an affiliate of the Fair Labor Association (FLA), a collaborative initiative that combines the efforts of business, colleges and universities, and civil society organizations to improve working conditions globally. UConn is committed to the ethical sourcing of its products, including the promotional products various departments and students purchase as giveaways.
The FLA has established a Pre-Approved Promotional Product Suppliers List for this pilot program. Promotional products suppliers are included in this list because they have an established track record of making a strong commitment to social responsibility and their social compliance programs are accredited by the Fair Labor Association, Quality Certification Alliance, or both. UConn is encouraging the sourcing of promotional products by our university contracted and licensed vendors through the promotional product suppliers on this list.
Cheaper price can quite often be the differentiator for a buyer between one company supplying promotional products and another. That reduced price can come at a hidden cost, though, often translating to unsafe and unethical conditions for the workers that manufacture those products. This is why UConn is asking vendors to make a transition to promotional product suppliers that enact a commitment to sourcing responsibly.
If you have any questions about the pilot program, please reach out to Kyle Muncy at kyle.muncy@uconn.edu or 486-9097.
We thank you for your support for this pilot program, and look forward to making it a success with your collaboration and participation.
Sincerely,
Kyle Muncy
UConn Strategic Partnerships & Business Development
For more information, contact: Kyle Muncy at kyle.muncy@uconn.edu