Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)

RBA (Responsible Business Alliance) is a responsible-business-conduct programme developed for the electronics and technology supply chain. Its audit tool is called the VAP (Validated Assessment Program) and produces a scored assessment report. It is not a certification scheme; it also provides its own tools for conflict-minerals (3TG) due diligence.

• Electronics and electronic-component manufacturers
• Automotive electronics suppliers
• Contract manufacturers producing for technology brands
• Firms required to carry out conflict-minerals due diligence

Not mandatory; it is requested in the supplier programmes of RBA-member brands. On the conflict-minerals side, US and EU legislation impose specific reporting and due-diligence obligations; these are separate and binding.

• Labour: freely chosen employment, young workers, working hours, wages and benefits, humane treatment, non-discrimination, freedom of association
• Health and safety: occupational safety, emergency preparedness, occupational injury and illness, industrial hygiene, physically demanding work, machine safeguarding, sanitation and dormitories
• Environment: environmental permits, pollution prevention, hazardous substances, solid waste, air emissions, material restrictions, water management, energy consumption and greenhouse gases
• Ethics: business integrity, no improper advantage, disclosure of information, intellectual property, fair business practice, protection of identity and no retaliation, responsible sourcing of minerals, privacy
• Management system: commitment, accountability, legal requirements, risk assessment, objectives, training, communication, worker feedback, audits, corrective action, supplier responsibility
• The VAP audit methodology and scoring

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
• amfori BSCIamfori BSCI Social Compliance
• Social Compliance Audit
• Ethical Trade Audit
• Human Rights Due Diligence
• SA8000Social Accountability
• WRAPWorldwide Responsible Accredited Production