Introduction

An initiative set up in 1988
Before 1998, the request to suppliers to adhere to labour standards was simply mentioned in the Purchasing Terms and Conditions. 
In 1998, sponsored by the French trade and distribution federation (FDC), 3 member companies set up a working group known as the Social Clause Initiative.  In 2006, ICS had 12 member companies: Auchan, Camif, Casino, Carrefour, Cora, Galeries Lafayette, E.Leclerc, Leroy Merlin, Jules, Monoprix, Okaïdi, Groupe PPR, Système U, 3 Suisses.

The Social Clause Initiative aims to encourage suppliers to comply with universal human rights principles as well as local labour regulations in their production units.
A desire to improve control of the process undertaken led these companies to step up their social and economic support to their suppliers by carrying out on-site inspections of working conditions.

These on-site inspections were entrusted to outside independent and specialised auditing firms.
These labour audits assess to what extent the labour system on production sites complies with a standard incorporating the main universal principles as defined in the Universal Human Rights declaration, local labour regulations, the ICS code of conduct, the codes and charters of the various companies, and the questionnaire designed and developed specifically for the Social Clause Initiative (ICS).

This audit questionnaire, used as a shared standard by the member companies of the ICS for conducting labour audits, incorporates the main conventions and recommendations of the ILO and the local regulations of each country. This standard is being used until a single public international standard is created.

The shared standard is broken down into 8 sections (child labour; forced labour; discrimination; disciplinary practices; harassment or mistreatment; freedom of association; working hours; wages and benefits; health and safety).

The members

The members have agreed to share their experience, ideas and solutions.
Each company has people responsible for the ICS strategy and they are familiar with the reality on the ground. This helps them adopt a pragmatic approach to the matter and ensure that the Social Clause Initiative is a progressive and sustainable strategy and that it respects different cultures, local regulations and suppliers.  

The lack of competition and individual marketing of the companies regarding the ICS makes dialogue easier and facilitates the sharing of tools and the database, in full confidentiality.

The auditing firms

To date, the ICS has commissioned four outside independent and specialised firms: Bureau Véritas, CSCC, Intertek and SGS.
These four auditing firms have been trained to use the ICS tools and they regularly update a list of local auditors who are trained in the ICS strategy.

Become a member To date, the ICS has commissioned four outside independent and specialised firms: Bureau Véritas, CSCC, Intertek and SGS. These four auditing firms have been trained to use the ICS tools and they regularly update a list of local auditors who are trained in the ICS strategy. If you would like to become a member of the Social Clause Initiative, please complete the contact form and we will reply as soon as possible.