FAR 22.1502—Policy.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 22.1502 states the Government’s policy for dealing with products made with forced or indentured child labor. It covers two related topics: first, agencies must take appropriate action to enforce the laws that prohibit the manufacture or importation of covered products, and second, agencies should make every effort to avoid acquiring those products in federal procurement. The section ties procurement policy to the underlying statutes cited in the rule—19 U.S.C. 1307, 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq., and 41 U.S.C. chapter 65—so contracting activity supports broader labor and trade enforcement goals. In practice, this means agencies are expected to use their acquisition tools, oversight, and sourcing decisions to prevent federal dollars from supporting prohibited labor practices. For contractors, the rule signals that products tainted by forced or indentured child labor present serious compliance, supply-chain, and eligibility risks. For contracting officers and program officials, it is a reminder to screen sources, respond to credible concerns, and avoid award or acceptance decisions that would place the Government in the chain of acquisition for such products.
Key Rules
Enforce prohibitions
Agencies must take appropriate action to enforce the laws that prohibit the manufacture or importation of products mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part by forced or indentured child labor. The rule is not optional; it directs agencies to use available enforcement mechanisms consistent with the cited statutes.
Avoid acquisition
Agencies should make every effort to avoid acquiring products made with forced or indentured child labor. This is a procurement policy directive that requires agencies to consider supply-chain risk and steer purchases away from suspect goods whenever possible.
Apply cited statutes
The policy operates in conjunction with 19 U.S.C. 1307, 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq., and 41 U.S.C. chapter 65. Those authorities provide the legal foundation for prohibiting certain goods and for agency action when such goods are identified.
Whole or partial coverage
The prohibition applies whether the product was mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part by forced or indentured child labor. Even partial involvement in the supply chain can trigger concern under this policy.
Agency action required
The section places the affirmative duty on agencies, not just on contractors, to act. Agencies must use procurement controls, oversight, and enforcement coordination to reduce the risk of acquiring prohibited products.
Responsibilities
Agencies
Take appropriate action to enforce the applicable laws and make every effort to avoid acquiring products made with forced or indentured child labor. This includes using acquisition planning, sourcing decisions, contract administration, and enforcement referrals as needed.
Contracting Officers
Implement the policy in procurements by screening sources, addressing credible allegations or indicators of prohibited labor, and avoiding awards or purchases that would result in acquisition of covered products.
Program/Requirements Officials
Support acquisition planning by identifying supply-chain risks, specifying compliant sources where possible, and alerting contracting personnel to products or markets with elevated forced-labor concerns.
Contractors
Ensure their products and supply chains do not involve forced or indentured child labor, and provide truthful information about sourcing when requested or required by the contract or agency oversight.
Practical Implications
Agencies should treat child-labor forced-labor risk as a supply-chain compliance issue, not just a human-rights policy statement; it can affect source selection, award decisions, and contract performance.
A common pitfall is assuming only direct suppliers matter. The rule reaches products mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part by prohibited labor, so upstream sourcing matters.
Contracting officers should be alert to country-of-origin, commodity, and supplier-risk indicators that may suggest prohibited labor in the supply chain.
If credible concerns arise, agencies should coordinate with legal, trade, and enforcement channels rather than simply proceeding with the purchase.
Contractors that cannot demonstrate responsible sourcing may face loss of business, increased scrutiny, or inability to compete effectively for federal work.
Official Regulatory Text
Agencies must take appropriate action to enforce the laws prohibiting the manufacture or importation of products that have been mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part by forced or indentured child labor, consistent with 19 U.S.C.1307 , 29 U.S.C.201 , etseq ., and 41 U.S.C. chapter 65 . Agencies should make every effort to avoid acquiring such products.