“Since 2003, amfori BSCI has enabled companies to trade with purpose by improving social performance in their supply chain.” — amfori.org
Your supply chain is only as fair, ethical and as environmentally responsible as its weakest link. For companies that rely on multiple plants to procure raw materials, assemble components and package final products, it is unacceptable to be in the dark about any facet of their daily operations.
However, when supply chains stretch across the globe, ensuring transparency is easier said than done. That is why the amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) auditing standard was created.
So, how, exactly, do the amfori organization and its BCSI standard elevate supply chain standards?
What is the amfori Organization?
Established in Brussels, amfori is a member organization comprised of over 2,300 retailers, importers, brands, and associations from around the world for the purpose of promoting open trade in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
amfori has been in the business of monitoring foreign trade for over 40 years, and they have witnessed dramatic changes in trade practices over that time. Their experience has allowed them to create a Vision 2030 for better future trade, supply, and manufacturing conditions.
What Does the amfori BSCI Standard Mean for Global Supply Chain Audits?
Although amfori BSCI is not itself an auditing service, they are responsible for developing auditing standards that promote “trade with purpose,” by following a Code of Conduct that emphasizes:
- Worker Rights
- Fair Remuneration
- Anti-Child Labor Law Enforcement
- Anti-Worker Discrimination Enforcement
- Safe Workplace Conditions
- Ethical Business Behavior
- Worker Documentation
- Fair Work Hours
- Environmental Protection Standards
- Ethically Sourced Materials
Why Are amfori BSCI Audits Effective?
Firstly, the effectiveness of amfori’s approach to supply chain audits is based on their simple Audit Integrity Program and its three core pillars:
1. Audit Company Acceptance Criteria
amfori evaluates an audit provider’s performance after a series of quality office and field activities and sets minimum requirements for them to enter their pool of BSCI audit providers. An individual audit company’s auditing performance is frequently monitored by amfori’s integrity assurance partners to ensure the ongoing strength of the audit provider.
2. Audit Quality Program
amfori continues to monitor on-site and off-site auditors and analyze audit reports to ensure continued adherence to amfori BSCI standards, identify trends, and flag issues or concerns. It is amfori’s belief that auditors hired to monitor and report on supply chain standards should themselves be held to their own quality criteria. Potential complaints against auditing companies are given equal attention by amfori to ensure a fair and accurate auditing process throughout.
3. Audit Qualification and Training Scheme
This is a 5 step training process necessary for amfori BSCI auditing approval — starting from initial candidacy to ongoing certification updates. Once training and examinations have been completed, candidates must successfully perform a minimum of 10 amfori BSCI audits to qualify as a fully certified member. Training and guidance will continue after an auditor has been certified, and they are required to retest every 18 to 24 months to ensure that their knowledge and skills are up to date.
Secondly, through amfori’s unified information platform, members can effectively share supply chain performance information. amfori recognizes the complexity of today’s global supply chains, so through the shared amfori BSCI platform, member companies can:
- Access performance information about farms and factories
- Map out their own supply chains across the world
- Monitor and/or share updated information about their supply chain performance
These advantages allow companies to take an active role in helping to improve supply chain conditions wherever necessary.