Several of you have been asking more about our centers where the Fair Trade Sports balls are hand-stitched. The production line at our manufacturer (Talon Sports) includes everything from lamination to packaging at the central facility. The hand-stitching is done at ILO-monitored stitching centers; our manufacturer is in the Top 3 companies with 100% production in ILO-monitored centers.

Quick bit of history: the ILO (International Labour Organization) is the specialized agency within the United Nations which "seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights". It was founded in 1919 and is the only surviving major creation of the Treaty of Versailles which brought the League of Nations into being and it became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946.

Talon has earned a place in the ILO’s "A-list" (also marked as the "Trade’s Outstanding Performance" list). We are quite proud of our manufacturing partner. Not only do they consistently produce sports balls of the highest quality, but can do so without resorting to destructive business practices. Our partners in Sialkot are true leaders in their industry.

Should you wish to learn more and see the results yourself, visit the IMAC website (Independent Monitoring Association for Child Labor).