amfori BSCI
A solution that supports you with trusted and comprehensive social risk management across key areas beyond tier 1
From insight to action:
A holistic approach to social risk management
Enhance your approach to social risk management with a solution that goes beyond audits. Aligned with global standards, amfori BSCI helps you to identify, assess, verify and mitigate social risks across key areas such as social management at production sites, ethical and fair practices, and protection of vulnerable workers.
Reduce duplication and costs by leveraging a shared pool of audit data and trusted social compliance audits, where one report benefits multiple companies. Gain seamless access to all amfori solutions, including free training sessions for your suppliers, ensuring comprehensive, efficient, and responsible supply chain risk management.
Key benefits
Comprehensive social risk management
Trusted audits, aligned with global standards
Efficiency through shared responsibility
Reputation and stakeholder trust
Integrated social and environmental risk management
How it works
Commit to responsible business practices
- Engage with your suppliers to make sure they sign the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct and affirm your dedication to responsible and sustainable business practices.
- Ensure alignment by communicating this commitment internally and across your supply chain
Map your supply chain and engage suppliers
- Use the amfori Sustainability Platform to map your supply chains, extending visibility beyond tier-one suppliers.
- Invite suppliers to join the platform and actively participate.
Identify and assess social risks
Use the self-assessment questionnaire for suppliers and audit reports available on the amfori Sustainability Platform to analyse and understand your social risks.
Address, prevent and mitigate risks
- Collaborate with other amfori members to request follow-up audits and track corrective actions using the continuous improvement feature, available on the amfori Sustainability Platform.
- Encourage suppliers’ participation in training sessions on the amfori Academy and support continuous improvement and remediation efforts.
Monitor, evaluate and report on progress
- Access real-time data dashboards using amfori Insights to track performance and measure progress.
- Regularly review social due diligence efforts and transparently report improvements to stakeholders.
Frequently
asked
questions
amfori BSCI stands for Business Social Compliance Initiative.
An amfori BSCI audit consists of eighty-one questions. Auditors assess site compliance based on on-site observations, interviews and document reviews. Each question is rated as “Yes”, “No”, “Partial” or “Not applicable”. The outcome of this assessment result is an audit report containing a grade ranging from A to E. For more information on the audit rating, please refer to the guide on the amfori BSCI audit rating overview.
The amfori BSCI audit cycle takes two years. It starts with a “full” audit and, depending on the result, a follow-up audit may be required. If the audit grade is below “B” (C, D, or E), the supplier needs to have a follow-up audit between two and twelve months after the full audit. If the audit grade is above “C” (A or B), the supplier will be required to undergo a full audit at the latest in two years’ time. This two-year audit cycle is designed to reduce audit fatigue and ensure continuous improvement. To better understand the auditing approach, refer to the amfori BSCI System Manual, part 2.
The follow-up audit is an intermediate audit in case the result of the full audit grade is below “B”. In such situations, the supplier has the opportunity to provide evidence of improvement in specific areas. During this type of audit, the auditor(s) will not ask the eighty-one questions but will focus only on the areas identified as needing improvement in the latest audit report. amfori highly recommends that the follow-up audit takes place two to three months after the full audit. This allows sufficient time for the auditee to demonstrate concrete improvement in the areas that needed it. In addition, auditor(s) are required to conduct a “minimum due diligence” on employee well-being and fair practices (Performance Areas 5, 6 and 7). The follow-up audits help reduce audit fatigue and ensure continuous improvement.
No, amfori BSCI is not a certification. As a member-based association, amfori is dedicated to supporting the ESG due diligence efforts of its members with a risk-based approach and continuous improvement. Instead of delivering a pass or fail verdict to suppliers, we collaborate with our members to foster improvement and their responsible business practices. Only our members and their audited suppliers can access and review full audit reports on our amfori Sustainability Platform, ensuring transparency and ongoing progress.
The amfori BSCI Code of Conduct outlines principles and values that our members and their suppliers commit to implementing in their supply chains. Each principle and value is based on internationally recognised standards, including OECD guidelines, UNGPs, and ILO conventions. They correspond to 13 Performance Areas (PA). Auditors assess the auditee’s performance based on these social performance areas through specific questions, general comments, and good practices when applicable. For detailed auditing guidelines, refer to the amfori BSCI System Manual Part 3. For learning more about these 13 PAs, enroll in the dedicated eLearning on the amfori Academy.
There are 13 Performance Areas assessed via the amfori BSCI system:
Social management & Workplace relations (PA 1, PA 2, PA 3, PA 4)
- PA 1: Social Management System & Cascade Effect
- PA 2: Workers Involvement and Protection
- PA 3: The Right of Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
- PA 4: No Discrimination, Violence or Harassment
Employee well-being and fair practices (PA5, PA6, PA 7)
- PA 5: Fair Remuneration
- PA 6: Decent Working Hours
- PA 7: Occupational Health and Safety
Protection of vulnerable workers (PA 8, PA 9, PA 10, PA 11)
- PA 8: No Child Labour
- PA 9: Special Protection for young workers
- PA 10: No Precarious Employment
- PA 11: No Bonded, Forced Labour or Human Trafficking
Ethical practices (PA 12, PA 13)
- PA 12: Protection of the Environment
- PA 13: Ethical Business Behaviour
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