QIMA offers ethical audit programs based on international standards, our own Best-In-Class Protocol and client-specific requirements.
Ethical Audits (EA)
Ethical audit standards
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.
QIMA offers 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 QIMA ethical audit programs cover the following aspects:
- Hygiene, health and safety
- Waste management
- Child and young labor
- Labor practices, including forced labor, worker representation, disciplinary practices and discrimination.
- Working hours and wages
Client-Specific Ethical Audit Protocols
If your company already has a social accountability program in place, QIMA can tailor its existing ethical audit programs to suit your needs and ensure the compliance of your suppliers to your specific requirements.
Ethical audits to international standards
Our professionally certified auditors can conduct ethical audits according to all major internationally recognized social audits standards, including:
- SMETA (Sedex)
- amfori BSCI
- ETI (ILO)
- Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)
- Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability (ICS)
- Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM)
- WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production)
QIMA's Best-In-Class Ethical Audit Protocol
Using the best practices of existing standards and building on our own experience from performing over 10,000 audits every year, we have developed our own Best-In-Class ethical audit protocol.
When QIMA auditors visit a factory, they use GPS coordinates to confirm that your products are only being manufactured at the approved facility, and no unauthorized subcontracting is taking place.
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 staff are also given an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback.
QIMA Ethical Auditors
QIMA has adopted an approach based on the key competences of auditors – attitude, skills and knowledge – in line with the reference tools developed by the Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP).
All QIMA auditors are professionally certified and undergo regular training to stay up to date with the latest standards and regulatory requirements. The average QIMA ethical auditor has performed 580 audits.
Why Perform an Ethical Audit?
- Ensure decent working conditions and human rights throughout your supply chain
- Comply with statutory requirements (e.g. Modern Slavery Act 2015)
- Prevent unauthorized subcontracting
- Receive an accurate picture of ethical compliance in your supply chain
- Foster cooperative relations with your suppliers
- Improve brand image and increase consumer loyalty
Supply Chain Insights
2023 Global Supply Chain Landscape and Trends
This report analyzes the latest developments in global procurement patterns, as well as long-term trends and patterns of the past five years, with a focus on evolving supply chain challenges, digital transformation and shifting attitudes to ESG.
A Step-By-Step Guide on Implementing Your ESG Risk Strategy
Today’s volatile environment requires companies to rethink and reshape their traditional risk assessment approaches, including ESG risks. This quick guide will help organizations navigate supply chain disruptions, increasing regulatory pressures, the consolidation of a multitude of ESG frameworks and the increasing types and frequency of risks when implementing your ESG risk strategy.
2022 Global Supply Chain Landscape
This report analyzes the latest developments in global trade in 2022, as well as the long-term trends and patterns of the past three years, with a focus on shifting sourcing geographies and supply chain disruption.
Mandatory Human Rights & Environmental Due Diligence: How to Get Prepared
With responsible business conducts becoming more stringent than ever, companies are required to follow an increasing number of mandatory due diligence legislations. This quick guide provides insights and guidelines on the current regulatory landscape to help you effectively implement your due diligence system.
Will Collaborative Intervention Finally End Modern Slavery?
With an estimated 40 million people enslaved worldwide, can collaborative efforts between consumers, governments, brands and NGOs eliminate modern slavery for good?
Germany's New Supply Chain Law: What You Need to Know
Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act was adopted in June 2021. This Quick Guide provides an overview of the legislation (as of July 2021) and practical suggestions on preparing your supply chain for the upcoming changes.
Evolution of Global Sourcing in 2020
This report analyzes the evolution of global sourcing in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, US-China trade tensions and other disruptions to global supply chains.
The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Quality Control and Compliance Program
An introduction to outsourcing quality control processes and the many benefits for businesses.
Covid-19 Epidemic and Global Supply Chains
Gain insights into the unfolding impact of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) epidemic on global sourcing.
The Netherlands Child Labor Due Diligence Law: What You Need to Know
Prepare your supply chain for the latest human rights due diligence regulation, taking effect in 2020.
2019 QIMA Supply Chain Conference - the Full Report
QIMA gathered more than 300 supply chain professionals in Hong Kong for our 3rd annual conference on the driving forces affecting global supply chains.
The Second Year of the Trade War: the Economic and Legal Implications
QIMA Supply Chain Conference 2019 - Session 1: Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Global Supply Chain
Emerging Regions: Growing Pains for Businesses Expanding into New Geographies
QIMA Sustainability Conference 2019 - Session 1: Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Global Supply Chain
From Traceability to Sustainability: the Virtually Limitless Applications of Technology in Global Supply Chains
QIMA Sustainability Conference 2019 - Session 1: Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Global Supply Chain
The Present and Future of Circularity in Fashion
QIMA Sustainability Conference 2019 - Session 2: Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: Progress and Challenges
Are Global Supply Chains Making Progress in Ensuring Safe and Decent Work?
QIMA Sustainability Conference 2019 - Session 2: Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: Progress and Challenges
Technology for Good: Innovative Tools for Protecting Human Rights in Global Supply Chains
QIMA Sustainability Conference 2019 - Session 2: Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: Progress and Challenges
C-TPAT Audit and Compliance
The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a supply chain security program led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection focused on improving the security of private companies' supply chains with respect to terrorism.
Global Supply Chains Amid the Trade Wars of 2019
Explore the findings of QIMA’s 2019 survey of 150+ businesses worldwide to find out how global supply chains and sourcing strategies are evolving in the second year of the US-China trade war.
China’s Changing Social Insurance Regulations: What You Need to Know
Stay up to date on China’s new social insurance regulations.
Trade Wars, Brexit, and Global Supply Chains in 2018
Get an exclusive look behind the scenes following a survey to QIMA's database to undercover how the escalating US-China trade stand-off is affecting global supply chains and sourcing strategies halfway into 2018.
2018 QIMA Sustainability Conference - the Full Report
Annual conference bringing together hundreds of supply chain and CSR professionals to discuss the latest challenges and opportunities in sustainable sourcing and supply chain ethics.
Sustainability and Ethics in Supply Chains: Current State and Progress
Sustainability Conference - Michael Bland presented an overview of the current state of sustainability and ethics in global supply chains, highlighting issues specific to individual countries and industries.
Lessons for Brands Looking to Eliminate Forced Labor from Their Supply Chains
Sustainability Conference - As the leader of the Modern Slavery Outreach Program implemented by the major sporting brand Adidas, Aditi Wanchoo shared the brand’s experience mitigating modern slavery risks at multiple tiers of a supply chain.
The Importance of Worker Voice in Managing Migrant Labor Modern Slavery Risks
Sustainability Conference - Pentland Brands, together with the NGO Issara Institute, emphasize the importance of making worker voice heard cross complex supply chains and shared practical examples of fostering worker empowerment and ethical recruitment practices.
Leveraging Technology to Fight Modern Slavery in Supply Chains
Sustainability Conference - The Mekong Club aims to harness the skills of the private sector to combat human trafficking. Dr. Zoe Fortune outlines the main advantages and opportunities offered by modern digital technologies in the ongoing fight against modern slavery.
Working Towards Gender Equality in Global Supply Chains
Sustainability Conference - Marat Yu shares key insights on gender equality and women’s rights from his work with HERProject, a collaborative initiative that strives to empower low-income women working in global supply chains.
Best Practices for Establishing Your Brand as a Recognized Sustainability Leader
Sustainability Conference - Building on 20+ years of data collected by the strategy and insights consultancy Globescan shares practical insights to help brands better communicate their sustainability efforts to the consumer and become recognized sustainability leaders.
How Will China’s New Environmental Protection Tax Affect Your Sourcing?
Sustainability Conference - China’s changing environmental regulations continue presenting challenges to business. Brian Ho of EY, provides valuable insights for businesses on navigating the latest Environmental Protection Tax Law.
The Power of Information Disclosure in Greening China’s Supply Chain
Sustainability Conference - The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, China, gives an overview of the groundbreaking work the NGO has carried out since 2006 to increase transparency around environmental issues in China.
Sustainability and Chemical Management – Practical insights from Fristads Kansas
Sustainability Conference - Speaking as the sustainability and CSR officer for Fristads Kansas, a major workwear and servicewear manufacturer, Caroline Bouisset shares practical experience of implementing a sustainability and chemical management program.
Key Compliance Considerations for Brands Sourcing from Small Factories in China
Sustainability Conference - Based on 15 years of experience of directly working with over 1,000 Chinese factories, Charles Coletta provides an overview of the key challenges a brand or buyer may face when sourcing from small factories in China and strategies to overcome them.
Invisible Links of Global Supply Chains: Dealing with Unauthorized Subcontracting
Understand the cause and risk of unauthorized subcontracting and how to mitigate the problem.
2018 QIMA Global Sourcing Survey
A survey of 250+ companies focusing on popular sourcing, QC and compliance practices, top sourcing challenges and major 2018 trends.
China’s Environmental Crackdown: is Your Supply Chain Ready?
Stay up to date on China’s anti-pollution campaign.
Are Supply Chains Truly Ready to Go "Beyond" Audits?
Modern CSR strategies involve a variety of tools, but can any of them fully replace supplier audits?
QIMA Ethical Compliance Conference
Watch our presentation and learn more about ethical compliance in global supply chains and procurement.
Structural Safety: the Life and Death Question of Your Supply Chain
In-depth analysis of the state of structural safety around the globe
Modern Slavery: The Facts
On any given day in 2016, over 40 million people were victims of modern slavery.
5 Reasons Why Millennial-Focused Brands Cannot Afford to Ignore Social Responsibility
Read about the growing importance of Gen Y and social responsibility for your brand.
The Five Golden Rules to a Successful QC Outsourcing Program
Quality Control best practices from the world's largest brands and retailers
QIMA Ethical Audits: Compliance, Trends, Procedures and Outcomes
Read about the processes and criteria involved in a successful ethical audit program.
More Resources
Need More Information?
Thank you - your inquiry has been sent.
We will come back to you shortly.
Back
Pricing
Need a quote for product inspections, supplier audits, laboratory testing or certification services?
Get Started
See a DemoGlobal Network, Local Knowledge
With over 2,500 trained and qualified inspectors and auditors, we guarantee to be at any factory within 48 hours. We follow the strictest hiring standards, employing only university graduates, with a minimum requirement of five years experience in quality control and auditing. Each inspector and auditor is native to the area in which they work, with an unparalleled expertise in local business practices.
Service Coverage Map
| This site is protected by copyright and trademark laws under US and international law. |
| QIMA © 2023 |
|
ClientID:; Client:; Affiliate:;
|