SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY SERVICES

The Importance of Monitoring Working Environments

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Business Challenge

Companies with international business operations are increasingly held accountable not only for their own performance but also for the performance of their international supply chain, including the working conditions of factories in which a product is manufactured.

If a company or brand becomes associated with below standard working environments or human rights violations, it risks negatively impacting brand value, image, and market opportunities.

Solution

What is social accountability?
Social accountability is the assessment and ongoing monitoring of working conditions in manufacturing environments. Audits can be conducted to a company’s own code of conduct or to industry standards established by organizations such as the Fair Labor Association (FLA), the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI), Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP), or SA8000 (Social Accountability). Most social standards address the following:

- Child labor
- Freedom of Association
- Non discrimination
- Wages and benefits
- Working hours
- Forced labor and discipline practices
- Abuse and harassment
- Health and safety
- Environment
- Subcontracting practices

What are the key benefits?
A strong and on-going social accountablity program can help your company:
- Strengthen and protect your brand image and reputation
- Manage liability from your international supply chain
- Secure long-term relations with suppliers and continued development in the area of social accountability
- Satisfy stakeholders including investors, customers, regulators, activists, labor unions and the news media.

Why Choose Bureau Veritas?

Experience & Efficiency
Since 1997, we have partnered with the world’s leading retailers and their vendors to implement and monitor social accountability practices. This allows us to offer a “best practices” program saving you time and money.

Global Resources
With locations around the world, we can assess and monitor your suppliers in a variety of locations.

Integrity & Ethics
Our dedicated integrity team manages a ‘best in class’ program to minimize the risks of corruption and to educate auditors, factories and clients regarding our integrity policies and expectations.

Operational Excellence
With specialized auditor training and standardized global operations, we can deliver high quality and consistent service to you.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Is there one code or social accountability standard that is recognized globally or has mutual recognition?

Unfortunately, there isn’t one widely adopted code or standard that fits every organization or industry sector. Since most codes and standards contain 95% of the same fundamental requirements, there are some efforts among companies to offer mutual recognition to some codes and monitoring programs.

How should my company begin developing a social accountability program?

Because social accountability is such an important part of the brand management, you first should define how social accountability will support and work with your internal ‘brand’ risk management process. Ideally, this process should start at the top management level and cascade down through the entire organization, with particular attention paid to those involved in sourcing and managing your social accountabiliy program.

DETAILED LIST OF SERVICES

Service name	Description	Business Scope
AS/EN/JISQ 9100 certification	Demonstrating your company's commitment to quality in the aeronautics industry	Quality
Aeronautics Supplier Monitoring	Optimising your outsourcing control	Quality
Air Quality & Emission Management	Improving air quality and your business performance	Environment, Health & Safety
Anti-Counterfeiting Services for Consumer Products	A Proactive Approach to Brand Protection	Quality, Security
Asset Integrity Management	Staying fit for purpose over the whole lifecycle	Environment, Health & Safety
Aviation Regulatory Assistance	Making regulation an area of performance and safety	Health & Safety, Quality
Aviation Safety Audit	For optimum selection of carriers	Quality
Aviation Technical Assistance	Our assessment for optimum management of your risks	Health & Safety, Quality
BRC/IFS Certification	Two essential food standards for suppliers to retail	Health & Safety, Quality
Building Technical Control	Helping ensure compliance and avoid risk on construction projects	Health & Safety, Quality
C-TPAT 3rd PARTY VALIDATOR – China Program	Approved by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security, Social Responsibility
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING/GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING	Providing cost-effective geotechnical and materials issues solutions	Quality
California Proposition 65 for Consumer Products	A Proactive Approach to Chemical Risks and Brand Protection	Quality
Classification of Ships and Offshore Units	Providing assurances about vessel safety and reliability	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Climate Change Services	Validation and verification services to support greenhouse gas reduction	Environment
Complying with Lead Regulations	A Proactive Approach to Brand Protection	Quality
Construction Permitting / Code Compliance	Facilitating the process of obtaining construction permits	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Construction Project Management	Guiding construction projects to successfully meet quality, time and budget objectives.	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Consumer Product Inspection Services	Verifying Product Quality Throughout Your Supply Chain	Quality
Consumer Product Testing Services	Managing Risk and Protecting Your Brand	Quality
Consumer Product Training Services	Knowledge and Skills for Your Company	Quality
Consumer Products Services Overview	Total solutions for all your quality assurance needs	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Social Responsibility
Customs Classification Code Services (CCCS)	For greater reliability in trade facilitation within Government contracts as well as other non Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI) countries.	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security
Design Review of Industrial Facilities	Providing confidence that your design achieves best practice standards	Environment, Health & Safety
Electrical And Electronics International Approvals Management	Getting your Product to Market On-Time and Cost-Effectively	Quality
Electrical and Electronics CE Marking	Your passport to successful European Market Access	Quality
Electrical and Electronics EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Testing	Your Local Partner for Access to Global Markets	Health & Safety, Quality
Electrical and Electronics Environmental Simulation Testing	Testing to Destruction to Aim at Perfection	Environment, Quality
Electrical and Electronics Product Certification	Your Passport to Worldwide Markets	Health & Safety, Quality
Electrical and Electronics Radio Performance and Functionality Testing	Local Access to Global Radio (WiFi, WiMAX, SRD, …) Markets	Quality
Electrical and Electronics Safety Testing and Certification	Your Local Partner for Access to Global Markets	Quality
Electrical and Electronics Training	Knowledge when you need it most	Quality
Emergency Planning	Prepared to respond to a major accident situation	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Emission Measurement for Power Plants	Protecting the environment and ensuring compliance	Environment, Health & Safety
Engineering Services for Consumer Products	Smart Solutions for Global Supply Challenges	Quality
Environmental Assessment & Studies	Promoting positive environmental impact and protecting your organisation	Environment
Environmental Assessment & Studies (Soils)	Sampling and analysis of soils to assess risk and protect investments	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Environmental Assessment and Studies - IPPC Assistance	Protecting the environment and your license to operate, with Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Environmental Noise and Vibration Management	Services to assess all areas of noise and vibration impact	Environment
Environmental Performance Improvement / Energy Efficiency	Helping buildings comply with energy efficiency laws while cutting costs	Environment
EurepGAP Certification	Demonstrating good agricultural/fish farming practices and ensuring access to markets	Environment, Health & Safety
FSC Certification	Ensuring good Forest practices	Health & Safety, Quality, Security
Factory Assessment Services	Working with your Vendors to Improve Quality	Quality
General Trade Services	Guaranteeing the quality and integrity of your international transactions	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security
Global Sourcing Service	Providing full assistance for your sourcing projects in China	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Social Responsibility
HSE Management	Helping companies meet with Health, Safety & Environmental regulations	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
HSE Management - Veriperf™	Assessing and implementing HSE best practices in multi-site companies	Environment, Health & Safety
HSE Training Services	Helping you develop a health & safety, environmental and quality policy with effective support from your employees	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Hardline Services	Comprehensive Approach Covers Full Range of Hardline Products	Quality
Hazard & Operability Study (HAZOP)	A powerful tool for identifying the causes of undesirable plant conditions	Environment, Health & Safety
Hazard Identification Study (HAZID)	A powerful tool for identifying occupational, facility, and external hazards	Environment, Health & Safety
IRIS Certification	Demonstrating your value as a quality supplier	Quality
ISO 14001 Certification	Proving your responsibility to the environment	Environment
ISO 20000 Certification & IT Service Management	Building a Competitive Edge through Higher Quality IT Services	Quality
ISO 22000 Certification	Proving your commitment to food safety	Health & Safety
ISO 27001 Certification	Protecting your information assets	Security
ISO 9001 Certification	Gaining competitive advantage through quality	Quality
ISO/PAS 28000 Certification	Industry Security Management System for the Supply Chain	Security
ISO/TS 16949 Certification	Helping position your company as a reliable partner	Quality
In-Service Verification of Electrical Installations	Checking electrical safety to protect human life and property	Health & Safety
In-Service Verification of Fire Safety Equipment	Checking fire safety equipment to protect human life and property	Health & Safety
In-Service Verification of Lifting Equipment	Checking lifting equipment to ensure safe operation and avoid accidents	Health & Safety
In-Service Verification of Lifts	Ensuring safe operation of lifts	Health & Safety
In-Service Verification of Machinery	Checking machinery for safer operation	Health & Safety
In-Service Verification of Pressure Vessels	Helping ensure safe operation of pressurized equipment	Health & Safety
Independent Verification	Assessment of conformity with Safety Case	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Indoor environmental quality management	Helping maintain high levels of hygiene, safety and comfort within indoor environments	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Inspection during Periodic Shutdowns	Optimize your inspection activities	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security, Social Responsibility
Inspection of Agrifood & Commodities	Delivering assurance on the quality and quantity of your shipments	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security
Inspection of Crude Oil & Petroleum Products Inspection	Delivering assurance on the quality and quantity of your shipments	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security
Inspection of Mineral Products	Security in terms of the weight and quality of your shipments	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security
Inspections and Audits for Boilers and Pressure Vessels	ASME, PED, IBR compliance - a passport to key markets	Health & Safety, Quality
Inspections and Audits of Safety Instrumented Systems	Assessing the safety, availability and reliability of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)	Health & Safety, Quality
Inspections, Audits and Testing for Construction Products	European regulations compliance opens the door to key markets	Quality
Jewelry Testing Services	Managing Risk and Protecting Your Brand	Quality
Lift Inspections and Audits	Helping you achieve compliance with European regulations (CE Marking) for a passport to your key markets	Health & Safety
Machinery Diagnostics & Troubleshooting	Assessing potential technical issues with rotating equipment prior to commissioning	Health & Safety, Quality
Machinery Inspections and Audits	Helping you achieve compliance with European regulations (CE Marking) for a passport to your key markets	Health & Safety, Quality
Manufacturing Inspections for New Nuclear Power Plants	Ensuring nuclear components meet all requirements	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Marine Technical Assistance - Measurements	Identifying noise and vibration issues early to avoid costly problems later	Health & Safety, Quality
Marine Technical Assistance - Shaft Alignement Studies and Analysis	Ensuring optimum propeller shaft performance and helping avoid costly problems	Health & Safety, Quality
Metallurgical Material Testing	Acquiring a perfect knowledge of material components in products, equipment or facilities throughout their life cycle	Health & Safety, Quality
OHSAS 18001	Demonstrating your ability to manage occupational health and safety hazards	Health & Safety
Occupational Hygiene	Recognizing and controlling workplace health hazards	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Offshore Platform Re-certification & Life Extension	Keeping existing offshore structures in good repair. Securing a second life for ageing offshore structures	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Offshore Safety Case Management and Review	The best-practice approach to major hazards management	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Onsite QHSE Coordination	Helping ensure Quality, Health & Safety and Environmental (QHSE) compliance on construction sites.	Health & Safety, Quality
Organic Certification	Promoting organic production standards to meet consumer demand	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Performance Driven Condition Based Maintenance	Auditing your rotating equipment and maintenance strategies to maximize reliability	Health & Safety, Quality
Performance Measurements for Power Plants	Verifying that technical specifications are respected for optimum performance	Environment, Health & Safety
Pipeline Integrity Management	Keep your "License to Operate" and enhance your pipeline safety and reliability	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Preshipment Inspection (PSI)	For greater reliability in trade facilitation within Government contracts	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security
Process Safety Management	A systematic approach to major accident hazard management	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Process System Integrity– Piping Vibration Management	Reducing the risk of vibration-induced fatigue	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Property Monitoring	Helping maintain and manage property to minimize exposure to risk	Health & Safety, Quality
Protection from Catastrophe	Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Quality Management Certification	Quality
Publications on Aeronautics Regulations	Get relevant information in real time	Health & Safety, Quality
Quality Assurance Services for Softlines	A Proactive Approach to Brand Protection	Quality
Quality Assurance Services for Toy and Juvenile Products	Testing and Specialized Services to Meet Your Needs	Quality
Quantified Risk Assessment	A Powerful Decision Tool for Risk Management	Environment, Health & Safety
RAMSES Risk Management	Optimizing customs resources by targeting high risk shipments	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security
REACH Assistance	Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
REACH Services for Consumer Products	Meeting the requirements for this new EU legislation	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Railway Equipment Inspections and Audits	Helping you achieve compliance with European and international regulations for a passport to your key markets	Health & Safety, Quality
Responsible fishing	Ensuring responsible fishing and fishery management	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Restricted Substances List Services for Consumer Products	A Proactive Approach to Chemical Risks and Brand Protection	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Social Responsibility
Risk-Based Inspection (RBI)	Preventing shutdowns and protecting the environment	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Russia Fire Safety Certificate	Respecting Russian safety law on the goods you wish to import	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Social Responsibility
Russia GOST R Certificate of Conformity	Getting access for your products on the Russian market	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Social Responsibility
Russia Hygiene Certificate (Sanitary-Epidemiological Conclusion)	Doing business in respect of Russian public health laws	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Social Responsibility
Russia Rostekhnadzor Permission	The essential licence to operate hazardous equipment in Russia	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Social Responsibility
SA8000 Certification	Enhancing your company’s reputation through social responsibility	Social Responsibility
Safe Behavior Management	A proven approach to fewer injuries and lower costs	Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Security Assessment Services	Securing Your Supply Chain in a Post 9-11 Environment	Security
Seveso II and COMAH compliance	A best-practice approach to major hazards management	Environment, Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Shop Inspection	Reducing risk from industrial supply purchases	Quality
Social Accountability Services	The Importance of Monitoring Working Environments	Health & Safety, Social Responsibility
Soil Technical Audit	Evaluating the state of land to reduce risk	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Statutory Certification of Ships	Ensuring conformity with international regulations	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality
Structural and Machinery Vibration Services	Identification, assessment and management of the risk of structural failure due to excessive vibration	Health & Safety
Supply Chain Security Services (SCSS)	For greater reliability, security and control in the supply chain	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security, Social Responsibility
Sustainability Report Assurance	Gain stakeholders’ trust and enhance your company’s reputation	Environment, Social Responsibility
Sustaining our Forests	Certifications for all Forest and Wood products industry Players	Environment, Social Responsibility
Technical Due Diligence	Assisting real estate investors to purchase property with confidence	Environment, Health & Safety
Textile Testing for the China Market	Helping You Meet the Requirements of GB 18401	Health & Safety, Quality
Training on Aviation Regulations	Acquire and maintain knowledge of applicable regulations and standards	Health & Safety, Quality
Vehicle Damage Tracking (VDT)	An innovative way to monitor and manage vehicle	Environment, Health & Safety, Quality, Security
Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS)	Enhanced road safety and environmental protection