Justice Dept. Won't Challenge College Apparel Oversight Program

The U.S. Justice Department announced Friday that it did not see antitrust problems with the Designated Suppliers Program, an effort of the Worker Rights Consortium to assure that employees at factories that produce collegiate apparel receive basic rights and fair treatment. Some have expressed fears that colleges that agree to participate in the program might be found in violation of antitrust laws. But a statement from the Justice Department noted that no college is forced to participate. Further, the Justice Department noted that the program may create new competition among colleges and companies that abide by the conditions of the program.