amfori BSCI Social Compliance (amfori BSCI)

amfori BSCI is the supply-chain social-compliance programme of amfori, a European business association. It is NOT a certification scheme: no certificate is issued as a result of the audit; an A-to-E performance rating and a findings report are produced instead. The report is shared with member companies through the amfori Sustainability Platform.

• Manufacturers supplying European retail chains
• Suppliers of amfori-member brands
• Facilities manufacturing in risk countries
• Buyers wanting to monitor social-compliance performance

Not mandatory; it is carried out at the buyer's request. The rating result directly affects the buyer's acceptance policy: low ratings require a follow-up audit and a corrective action plan; some buyers will not work with a supplier below a certain rating.

• The social management system and its cascading effect
• Worker involvement and protection
• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
• Prevention of discrimination, violence and harassment
• Fair remuneration
• Decent working hours
• Occupational health and safety
• Prevention of child labour
• Special protection for young workers
• Prevention of precarious employment
• Prevention of bonded labour, forced labour and human trafficking
• Protection of the environment
• Ethical business behaviour

1. 1Determining Scope and ProgrammeThe sites and processes to be audited, and the audit duration the scheme requires, are determined.
2. 2Pre-assessmentA gap analysis is optionally carried out; gaps become visible before the main audit.
3. 3On-site AuditRecords review, site observation and worker interviews are carried out against the scheme's checklist.
4. 4Reporting of FindingsFindings are reported according to the scheme's classification. The output of these schemes is an audit report, not a certificate.
5. 5Corrective Action and Follow-upA corrective action plan is submitted for the findings; it is closed with a follow-up audit under the scheme.

The validity period of audit reports is set by the scheme and is mostly between one and two years. The report is used for the period the buying brand accepts.

• Organisation and site details
• Headcount and shift pattern
• Legal permits and licences
• Relevant policies and procedures
• Payroll, time and personnel records

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of sites to be audited and the headcount
• The audit duration the scheme prescribes
• Whether a pre-assessment (gap analysis) is requested
• Whether a follow-up audit is required

Most of these schemes produce audit reports, not documents, and are subject to the scheme owner's (e.g. Sedex, amfori, RBA) own approval system; Accreditation in the classical sense is not found in every scheme. Auditor competence and report validity are determined by the scheme owner's rules.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• SMETASedex Ethical Trade Audit
• SedexSedex Membership and Ethical Data Sharing
• RBAResponsible Business Alliance
• Social Compliance Audit
• Ethical Trade Audit
• Human Rights Due Diligence
• SA8000Social Accountability
• WRAPWorldwide Responsible Accredited Production