Ethical Audit
For a modern business, an ethical supply chain is no longer an optional “feel-good” PR tool. Today, consumers, governments and NGOs are putting increasing pressure on brands and retailers to ensure transparency throughout their supply chains. Social accountability is an important element of a company’s sourcing and marketing strategy, which helps ensure better product quality, foster consumer loyalty, and emphasize good corporate citizenship.
We offer comprehensive ethical audit programs that can be conducted according to international standards, your company’s in-house specifications or our own Best-In-Class Protocol.
All our ethical audit programs cover the following aspects:
Cost
of Work
Our on-site process consists of:
- Opening meeting
- Factory tour
- Document review
- Worker interviews (group and individual)
- Closing meeting with Corrective Action Plan (CAP) review
Furthermore, our Supplier Workshops (held before and during the audit) help educate your suppliers about the audit program, get them more involved and help them achieve compliance.
Our worker interviews are structured and held in a way that ensures transparency and honesty. During the interview, our auditors use voice stress analysis and cross-check information to detect any deception or inconsistencies. Factory staffs are also given an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback.
All our auditors are professionally certified and undergo regular training to stay up to date with the latest standards and regulatory requirements.
Factory Audits
Your supply chain is only as good as its weakest link. The only way to ensure smooth running of your business and uninterrupted supply of goods is to thoroughly vet potential suppliers before integrating them into your supply chain.
Manufacturing Audits by TEXPERT INSPECTIONS are a cost- and time-effective way to prepare a complete profile of your potential supplier, ensuring they will become a reliable part of your global supply chain. With a TEXPERT INSPECTIONS Audit Report in hand you will be able to confirm that the audited site is capable of delivering to your production specifications, address and prevent potential further costly disruptions once production is launched.
◾ To verify that your supplier’s facilities are operational and suitable for manufacturing your product
◾ To ensure that your supplier’s sourcing policies comply with your own
◾ To identify and hedge against potential quality, operational, and ethical risks
◾ To evaluate the competence of the factory management
Texpert Inspections Manufacturing Audits adhere to the internationally recognized ISO 9000 standards for Quality Management System. Our auditors are profiled specialists with an average of 5 years of experience in the field, and undergo regular training and attestation.
In the scope of a Manufacturing Audit, Texpert Inspections auditors conduct an extensive evaluation of your supplier’s facilities and management systems. The standard Manufacturing Audit covers:
◾ Factory profile
◾ Production capacities
◾ Factory facilities, including condition of machinery and equipment
◾ Workflow and organization charts
◾ Quality assurance systems in place
C-T Pat security Audits
Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT)
Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) is part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy. Through this program, CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve United States border security.
CTPAT is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program which recognizes that CBP can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the principle stakeholders of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 provided a statutory framework for the CTPAT program and imposed strict program oversight requirements.
International Associated Limited is able to carry out CTPAT audits for suppliers exporting goods into the USA.
This program calls upon importing businesses and service providers to establish policies enhancing their own security practices and those of business partners involved in the supply chain, based on the following C-TPAT security criteria:
Other tailored Audit Programs
Our Manufacturing Audits offer a great degree of flexibility and can be customized to fit your specific requirements.
The following additional modules can be included in a TEXPERT INSPECTIONS supplier evaluation:
- Social responsibility and compliance
- Procurement conditions
- R&D – sampling capacity
- Hygiene, health and safety
- Environmental impact
- RoHS standards
- Other modules as required
When a supplier joins CTPAT, an agreement is made to work with CBP to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices. Applicants must address a broad range of security topics and present security profiles that list action plans to align security throughout the supply chain.
CTPAT members are considered to be of low risk and are therefore less likely to be examined at a U.S. port of entry.
Participation in CTPAT is voluntary and there are no costs associated with joining the program and can be done online.
Step 1. The company should to review the CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria for their business entity to determine eligibility for the program and complete a risk assessment of its procedures and processes.
Step 2. Submit a basic application via the CTPAT Portal system and to agree to voluntarily participate.
Step 3. Complete a supply chain security profile. The security profile explains how the company is meeting CTPAT’s minimum security criteria.
Upon satisfactory completion of the application and supply chain security profile, the applicant company is assigned a CTPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist to review the submitted materials and to provide program guidance on an on-going basis.
Container Security Physical Access Controls Personnel Security Security Training & Threat Awareness Information Technology Security
Once these policies are given an effect, imports by these businesses would be given a “Fast Lane” by the US Customs.
