Introduction
Customers require audits to ensure the factories are operating to specific social, security and safety standards. The most common audits are…
- Responsible Sourcing/Social
- Security
- Factory Assessment
Responsible Sourcing/Social Audit
Responsible Sourcing/Social audits address concerns about labor rights and laws, insurance, harvesting and the use of conflict minerals, and general environmental and sustainability issues. This audit is performed to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.
Security Audit
Security audits address security measure the factory has in place. Things like ID badges, cameras and gates are looked into.
Factory Assessment
Factory Assessment audits address things like proper training records, safety measures and machine maintenance records. Audits pertaining to a factories capability and capacity would also fall under a factory assessment.
Michaels refers to this audit as a Factory Qualification Assessment (FQA).
Sedex/SMETA
Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) is a platform that allows factories/companies to share their audit information with multiple customers. A SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) assesses social responsibility and ethical trading. These audits are designed as a cost-effective solution for suppliers to share with any customer, avoiding duplication.
Amfori BSCI
Amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) is another cost-effective solution to share audits with multiple customers. Amfori BSCI assesses 13 specific areas of social issues.