What We Help You Achieve
Risk identification. Pinpoint labor violations, unsafe conditions & environmental hazards.
Regulatory compliance. Ensure factories meet SMETA, BSCI, WRAP and other standards.
Brand protection. Demonstrate social responsibility to consumers & stakeholders.
Continuous improvement. Actionable corrective-action plans to drive supplier performance.
Ethical Audits for a Socially Responsible Supply Chain
Ensure that the companies and factories in your supply chain adhere to ethical standards.
QIMA’s ethical audit is a comprehensive on-site inspection conducted in accordance with international standards, including SMETA, BSCI, FSLM, WRAP, and other relevant guidelines. This audit helps you identify potential risks, such as labor violations, environmental damage, or unethical practices, so you can address them before they escalate.
On this page you can learn all about:
What is an Ethical Audit?
Our Solutions
International Standards
Client-Specific Audit Procedures
QIMA's Best-in-Class Ethical Audit Program
Why Perform an Ethical Audit?
QIMA Benefits
Need more information?
By contacting QIMA you agree to our privacy policy and terms and conditions.
What is an Ethical Audit?
An ethical audit (social compliance audit) is an on-site review of working conditions, labor practices and environmental management in your suppliers’ factories. It ensures your supply chain meets global standards and your brand’s CSR/ESG goals.
For your business, demonstrating that products are sourced from ethical supply chains is no longer an optional step, it is a necessity. Consumers, governments, and NGOs are pressuring brands and retailers to comprehensively eliminate unethical practices in their supply chains.
Ethical issues, such as unsafe working conditions, forced labor, or excessive working hours, must be addressed at every level, and a high level of transparency should be demonstrated.
QIMA ethical audits help companies ensure ethical practices across their supply chains. Our social compliance audits provide both peace of mind and visible proof to consumers and stakeholders that their supply chains are ethically managed.
Our Ethical Audit Services
QIMA offers a comprehensive selection of ethical audit programs.
Standard audits. SMETA, BSCI, FSLM, WRAP and more.
Client-specific audits. Tailored to your in-house codes and policies.
Best-in-Class program. QIMA’s proprietary protocol combining top practices.
Expert auditors. Certified specialists with ongoing training in social compliance.
International Standards
QIMA can conduct ethical audits according to the following international standards:
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Ethical Trading Initiative (ETO)
Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) accredited audit
Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability (ICS) audit
Ethical Toy Program (ICTI)
Client-Specific Audit Procedures
In many cases, brands need us to incorporate their existing practices for managing ethics in the supply chain into our auditing procedures.
If your company already has procedures in place to monitor and manage ethical practices in your supply chain, we can tailor our existing ethical audit programs to meet your needs. In this case, your suppliers will comply with both your specific requirements and the standards of our auditing programs.
QIMA's Best-in-Class Ethical Audit Program
By incorporating best practices from existing standards, we have developed our own Best-in-Class ethical audit program.
QIMA auditors will visit a factory and use GPS coordinates to confirm that your products are only being manufactured at the approved facility and no unauthorized subcontracting is taking place.
QIMA Best-in-Class on-site auditing process includes the following five stages:
Opening meeting: Our auditors meet the managers at your supplier’s facility for an opening discussion. Audits can be scheduled in advance or conducted without prior notice.
Factory tour: Auditors thoroughly inspect the facility, including the production area or factory floor, warehouse, canteen, and dormitory, among others. During this tour, auditors assess critical aspects, such as working conditions and health and safety management.
Documentation review: Auditors go through employment records and other important documents to identify potential issues, such as payment amounts and conditions, working hours, discrimination, or the withholding of employee property, documents, or salaries.
Employee interviews: Auditors privately interview employees to gain personal insight into conditions at your supplier’s facility. Questions may cover a range of potential issues, including but not limited to hiring and firing policies, working hours, working conditions, pay arrangements, the use of child labor or forced labor, and health and safety management. These interviews are voluntary and conducted in complete privacy.
Closing meeting: Auditors conclude their visit by meeting with the facility’s management team to review their findings. If necessary, they will discuss non-compliance issues, suggest steps for improvement, and introduce a corrective action plan (CAP).
Our Supplier Workshops (held before and during the audit) help educate your suppliers about the audit program, engage them more effectively, and assist them in achieving compliance.
Our worker interviews are structured to ensure transparency and honesty. During the interview, our auditors use voice stress analysis and cross-check information to detect any deception or inconsistencies. Factory staff are also given an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback.
Why Conduct an Ethical Audit?
Maintaining ethical standards throughout the supply chain is crucial for businesses that value social responsibility. Here are the main reasons for conducting an ethical audit:
Ensure legal compliance. Verify adherence to international labor laws, environmental regulations and workplace safety.
Protect brand reputation. Prevent negative press from child labor, forced labor or discrimination findings.
Improve working conditions. Identify unsafe machinery, excessive working hours and inadequate health & safety measures.
Drive supplier accountability. Empower factories to close social compliance gaps through CAPs.
Elevate CSR/ESG ratings. Demonstrate transparent audits and continuous improvement to investors and NGOs.
By conducting ethical audits, you can gain an accurate picture of ethical compliance within your supply chain, which can help improve your brand image, build consumer loyalty, and contribute to safer and more transparent supply chains.
Create an account and book an Ethical Audit
Ethical Audit FAQs
What is covered in a QIMA ethical audit?
Social compliance checks on health & safety, working conditions, environmental impact, forced/child labor and management systems.
How long does an ethical audit typically take?
1–3 days on-site, depending on facility size and scope of interviews, documentation reviews and inspections.
Do you use surprise audits?
Yes. We offer unannounced audits to validate real-time supplier compliance and detect unauthorized subcontracting.
QIMA Benefits
In-depth local knowledge with auditors attuned to the culture, laws and practices of their region.
CSR experts receive regular training on regulations and best practice.
Global coverage across 100 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America.
Continuous improvement approach drives long-term change and empowers suppliers to act.
Online program management book audits, make payments, and download detailed reports.
Custom compliance dashboard to assess supplier performance, track progress and visualize your supply network.
Ranked #1 in the industry for customer satisfaction based on independent NPS measurement.