We’re the leading industry association created to support individuals and organizations by promoting the use of independent social compliance audits.
Find out MoreAPSCA is the industry association created to support individuals and organization
Find out MoreIf you want to stay connected with APSCA and join the voice of social compliance, our monthly newsletter is open to all interested parties via the link below.
Find out MoreOur mission is to enhance the professionalism, consistency and credibility of individual auditors and organizations performing independent social compliance audits.
As a practitioner-led initiative, APSCA was founded by leading social compliance audit firms including Arche Advisors, Bureau Veritas, ELEVATE, Intertek, SGS, RINA, TUV Rheinland, TUV SUD and UL.
APSCA is governed by an Executive Board administered by an independent Chair. Additional to the Executive Board, APSCA is serviced by a dedicated, multi-stakeholder Board with independent, brand, retail, initiative and independent representation. The Stakeholder Board has three representatives whom are also members of the Executive Board.
APSCA currently offers two types of membership for audit firms and individual auditors; respectively, Firm Membership and Auditor Membership.
A social compliance audit requires consideration of each of the sections in the APSCA Competency Framework with the capture and evaluation of sufficient evidential matter to assess performance relative to each section by an APSCA Certified Social Compliance Auditor (CSCA). Competent capture of sufficient evidential matter includes at a minimum:
CSCA and Member Firms have the responsibility to ensure that appropriate time is spent on site to competently achieve these tasks. Appropriate time is a function of many factors, including but not limited to the number of workers and physical size of the facility. Industry standard practice indicates that effective consideration would generally require a minimum of one auditor day on site for small facilities (e.g. less than 100 workers), whereas for larger facilities with more workers, two or more auditor days will be required on an incremental basis based on the number of workers and the physical size of the facility.
A social compliance audit scope includes:
*Note: The term facility is a generic term and relates to a place where product is made, grown, distributed, sold etc.
APSCA’s Competency Framework includes the following topics:
Through our Certified Social Compliance Auditor (CSCA) program, APSCA aims to elevate the role of the social compliance auditor and develop a workforce of committed, competent, experienced and ethical professionals.
A social compliance auditor, can help drive positive change in the lives of workers by identifying and understanding key labor rights issues.
To help auditors succeed, audit firms should provide working conditions, support and development needed to maintain high quality standards. APSCA believes Member Auditors deserve to be treated with respect reflective of the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. APSCA expects Member Firms to respect the human rights of its Member Auditors and avoid causing or contributing any adverse human rights impacts.
APSCA supports audit programs, initiatives, brands and retailers who utilize the skills of social compliance auditors for them to have the necessary confidence in the level of auditor competency.
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