Social Audits / Corporate Social Responsibility (SA8000)
Who uses this service? Retailers and or importers wishing to assess the overall performance of their vendor factories in terms of social compliance / corporate social responsibility (CSR) can use this service to independently audit facilities around the world.
Why use this service? Social Accountability / CSR Audits (SA8000) are usually conducted by organizations wishing to demonstrate:
They have a documented policy and program in place
It is independently verified through provision of 3rd party services
Corrective action and continuous improvement process is implemented
The program is well communicated to factories
When to use this service? Before choosing a specific supplier, importers and retailers can check the social compliance of their partner to help minimize potential liability in their international supply chain. Additionally, periodic Social Compliance audits of existing suppliers can help ensure that socially acceptable working conditions are maintained on an on-going basis.
Why use a SA / Corporate Social Responsibility Audit? By using social accountability services, retailers and importers can ensure that the rights of workers in factories manufacturing their products are respected and that their brand name is not associated with sub-standard working environments or human rights violations.
Description: Our SA Audit is a systematic on-site audit of a facility’s Social Accountability Management System in accordance with a standard checklist.
The audit covers a number of factors including:
Child labor;
Forced or compulsory labor;
Health and safety;
Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining;
Non-discrimination;
Disciplinary practices;
Harassment or abuse;
Compensation and benefits;
Working hours;
Environmental compliance; and
Sub-contracting and homework.
These elements are audited against local legal regulations and/ or your specific requirements. The methodology of the audit includes visual observations, confidential employee interviews, and documentation review.
The audit criteria are based on various national ethical laws and multi-stakeholder organizations such as:
International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI): A non-profit organization that consists of toy trade associations from around the world. It was created to promote international toy safety standards and a responsible attitude to advertising and marketing to children.
Fair Labor Association (FLA): A non-profit organization created to protect the rights of workers in the United States and around the world. The FLA Charter Agreement has created a voluntary industry-wide code of conduct and monitoring system.
Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP): An independent, non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion and certification of lawful, humane, and ethical manufacturing throughout the world.
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI): An alliance of companies, non-governmental organizations and trade unions existing to identify and promote good practice in the implementation of codes of labor practice. ETI’s ultimate goal is to ensure that the working conditions of workers producing for the UK market meet or exceed international standards.
Business for Social Responsibility (BSR): A membership organization for companies of all sizes and sectors. Leading global resource, providing members with innovative products and services to help companies be commercially successful in ways that demonstrate respect for ethical values, communities, and the environment.
Top 10 Major Non-Compliances - Social Audits
Falsification of time or wage records
Excessive overtime hours and/ or lack of rest days
Inadequate age records maintained
Failure to pay correct minimum or overtime wage
Mandatory overtime hours
Unsanitary toilet conditions
Locked and/or blocked fire exits
Lack of or poor implementation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Unsafe chemical handling and/or storage
Poor communication of safety evacuation procedures
Corporate Social 
Additional Inspection Services