amfori BSCI: Code of conduct for social responsibility and sustainability in the supply chain
Nowadays, the subject of Corporate Social Responsibility is attracting increasing attention in the media and in society as a whole: within the framework of risk management and corporate ethics, and in particular, against the background of worldwide outsourcing, companies must ensure that their suppliers behave responsibly towards both people and the environment.
With the special amfori BSCI supplier audit, you can ensure that your suppliers behave responsibly towards people and the planet.
BSCI is an initiative of the Foreign Trade Association (FTA), the leading business association of European and international commerce that brings together over 1,500 retailers, importers, brands and national associations to improve the political and legal framework for trade in a sustainable way.
The BSCI and its members follow a positive, non-confrontational approach to compliance and want to heighten supplier's and manufacturer's awareness of their social responsibilities and occupational health and safety issues. The BSCI aims to reward the suppliers' good will and willingness to cooperate.
Benefits of an audit according to the amfori BSCI code of conduct
Inside your organisation
- Improvement of internal management processes
- Risk management optimisation
- Time and cost saving through avoidance of multiple audits
- Focus on improvements and problem solving
Looking towards the outside
- Promotion of fairer and safer working conditions
- Strengthening the trust of customers and business partners
- Making new business contacts
- Audit procedure for amfori BSCI certification (verification)
Audit procedure for amfori BSCI (verification)
Overview of the amfori BSCI audit
amfori BSCI performs different types of audits. Audits can be performed completely announced, partly announced or unannounced.
Good to know: amfori BSCI is not a certification, but a verification. In contrast to a (successful) certification, a verification does not guarantee that the audited organization fulfils the requirements completely. Verification to amfori BSCI only testifies to the degree to which the audited organization fulfils the requirements.
FAQs on amfori BSCI
The amfori BSCI code of conduct defines values and basic principles for responsible business practices in the supply chain, and aims at continual optimisation of the most important parameters. It is based on standards of the ILO (International Labour Organization). As an independent and accredited organisation, TÜV NORD CERT audits your suppliers and assesses adherence to the amfori BSCI code of conduct.
Our service includes background research on the different production sites, on-site analysis (with interviews and document review), drafting of a report and uploading of documents onto the BSCI platform.
The audit is conducted on the basis of the amfori BSCI code of conduct and its implementation rules (amfori BSCI system manual).
The following criteria are assessed:
- The rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining
- Fair remuneration
- Occupational health and safety
- Special protection for young workers
- No bonded labour
- Ethical business behaviour
- No discrimination
- Decent working hours
- No child labour
- No precarious employment
- Protection of the environment
Adherence to social standards is becoming ever more important, as brand manufacturers increasingly select their suppliers according to social criteria, and many large retailers also require their manufacturers and suppliers to undertake auditing according to amfori BSCI. Therefore target groups for amfori certification include brand manufacturers, production and farming operations, retailers and importers.
Those requiring certification services are either themselves amfori BSCI members, or they are participating business partners within the member’s supply chain. All partners have to sign the amfori BSCI code of conduct and successful verification leads to listing on the BSCI platform.