Government operations and workforce

Executive Order 13627: Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts

President: Barack Obama

Tightened prohibitions and compliance duties intended to keep trafficking, forced labor and abusive recruitment out of federal contracts.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 13627 still in effect? Yes. Active and implemented government-wide through FAR subpart 22.17 and clause 52.222-50.

What does Executive Order 13627 do?

EO 13627 expanded the government’s zero-tolerance contracting policy beyond direct trafficking and forced labor. It targeted recruitment fees, misleading job terms, confiscated identity documents and inadequate return transportation, and required compliance plans and certifications for certain overseas work. The Federal Acquisition Regulation now implements these protections across acquisitions, with reporting, investigation and remedies for violations.

Administration position: The order does not make the government automatically liable for every contractor violation; it imposes contract controls, disclosure duties and remedies alongside criminal and civil law.
SignedSeptember 25, 2012
CoverageFederal contracts and subcontracts
Key regulationFAR subpart 22.17

Before and after

Before the order

Federal clauses prohibited trafficking and forced labor but did not comprehensively address abusive recruitment and oversight throughout overseas supply chains.

After the order

Contracts gained broader prohibited practices, compliance plans, certifications, disclosure requirements and enforcement remedies.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Contractors and agentsAvoid prohibited conduct and report credible violationsContinuing
Higher-risk overseas contractorsMaintain compliance plans and certificationsContinuing
Contracting officers and inspectors generalInvestigate and impose remediesContinuing

What happened next

EO 13627 issued.

Implementing FAR rules took effect.