Shared tools

In 2004, the members of the Social Clause Initiative worked in conjunction with a service provider and with auditing firms to update the tools needed for performing labour audits.
Thanks to feedback from local auditors and suppliers, the audit questionnaire was revised taking into account the realities on the ground. These new tools were introduced for application in March 2005 following training dispensed to the auditing firms.

Audit manual – guide to the basics of the ICS strategy
The audit manual reviews the entire ICS strategy, explaining each stage and describing the process in detail.

Factory profile – identity data sheet for the factory to be audited
The factory profile is sent to the supplier who must return it duly completed within a given deadline. The information contained in it is needed for preparing the audit.

Audit questionnaire – shared standard

The audit questionnaire covers 8 chapters :
- Chapter 0 – Documentation
- Chapter 1 – Child labour
- Chapter 2 – Forced labour
- Chapter 3 – Discrimination
- Chapter 4 – Disciplinary practices, harassment and mistreatment
- Chapter 5 – Freedom of association
- Chapter 6 – Working hours and benefits
- Chapter 8 – Health and safety

These chapters are organised into 4 parts :
1 – Informative questions (local laws)
2 – Critical questions (disqualifying for the chapter)
3 – Regulatory questions (yes/no answer)
4 – Good practices (observations to be mentioned)

Execution guideline – methodology and user manual for the auditor
The audit process is clearly explained. Each part of the questionnaire is detailed in order to provide clarification to the auditor on the interpretation and rating of specific questions.

Corrective action plan

At the end of the audit, if necessary, a corrective action plan is established. This is offered to the supplier by the auditor, accompanied by a deadline. This plan is validated by the applicant company before it becomes operational.  The follow-up audit will check that it has been implemented.

Alert notification – sent within 24 hrs in the event of a critical violation
Critical violations justifying an alert are as follows :
- The physical presence of children in a factory
- Proven forced labour (as defined by the International Labour Organisation), proven unpaid labour
- Evidence of physical mistreatment or excessive disciplinary practices
- Working environment presenting an immediate risk to the health and/or safety of workers 

Code of conduct and code of conduct for each company
The Social Clause Initiative Code of conduct is available in French, English and Chinese

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