FAR 22.1501—Definitions.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 22.1501 is a definitions section for the subpart on forced or indentured child labor. It defines two core terms: "forced or indentured child labor" and the "List of Products Requiring Contractor Certification as to Forced or Indentured Child Labor." The first definition explains what conduct qualifies as prohibited child labor, including work or service exacted from a person under 18 under threat of penalty or work performed under an enforceable contract. The second definition identifies the Department of Labor’s published list of products, by country of origin, that have a reasonable basis to be believed to have been mined, produced, or manufactured with forced or indentured child labor. In practice, this section matters because it sets the meaning of the terms used elsewhere in the subpart, which drives contractor certification obligations, sourcing reviews, and compliance actions when acquiring covered products. It is the foundation for determining whether a product or supply chain raises forced-labor concerns under federal procurement rules.
Key Rules
Forced labor definition
Forced or indentured child labor includes work or service exacted from a person under 18 under the menace of any penalty when the person does not volunteer. It also includes work performed by a person under 18 under a contract that can be enforced through legal process or penalties.
Age threshold is under 18
The definition applies only to persons under the age of 18. The section does not define general child labor; it focuses specifically on forced or indentured labor involving minors.
Penalty or coercion element
A key element is coercion: the work must be compelled by threat of penalty or by an enforceable contract. Voluntary work by a minor is not captured by this definition unless the coercive conditions are present.
Contract enforcement matters
Work performed by a person under 18 pursuant to a contract is covered if the contract can be enforced by process or penalties. This captures arrangements that function like debt bondage or compulsory labor.
DOL product list governs coverage
The list of products requiring contractor certification is the Department of Labor list published under E.O. 13126. The list identifies products and their countries of origin that the government has reason to believe may have been mined, produced, or manufactured with forced or indentured child labor.
Country-of-origin specific
The product list is tied to country of origin, not just product type. Contractors must pay attention to where a product comes from, because the same product may or may not be listed depending on origin.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Use the definitions in this subpart when applying the forced- or indentured-child-labor requirements, including determining whether a product falls within the scope of the DOL list and whether contractor certification or other action is required.
Contractor
Understand the meaning of forced or indentured child labor and review sourcing against the DOL list of products by country of origin. Provide required certifications and avoid supplying products that may be associated with prohibited child labor.
Department of Labor
Publish and maintain the list of products requiring contractor certification as to forced or indentured child labor in accordance with E.O. 13126.
Other acquisition officials
Apply these definitions consistently when evaluating procurement risk, reviewing supply chains, and supporting compliance actions related to covered products.
Practical Implications
This section is the starting point for compliance analysis: if you misread the definitions, you may miss a covered product or incorrectly treat a product as covered.
Contractors should check both the product and the country of origin; a product may be low risk in one country and listed in another.
The definition is narrower than general child labor concerns because it focuses on forced or indentured labor involving minors, not every labor issue involving children.
The DOL list is central to day-to-day compliance, so contractors should monitor updates rather than relying on a static internal list.
A common pitfall is assuming that a voluntary youth labor arrangement is covered; the coercion or enforceable-contract element is what triggers this definition.
Official Regulatory Text
As used in this subpart- Forced or indentured child labor means all work or service- (1) Exacted from any person under the age of 18 under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily; or (2) Performed by any person under the age of 18 pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties. List of Products Requiring Contractor Certification as to Forced or Indentured Child Labor means the list published by the Department of Labor in accordance with E.O. 13126 of June 12,1999, Prohibition of Acquisition of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor. The list identifies products, by their country of origin, that the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and State have a reasonable basis to believe might have been mined, produced, or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor.