Objective

To help suppliers meet compliance requirements and engage in continuous improvement, buying companies and schemes have started to develop and implement social and labour management system programmes. However, with many companies and schemes proposing various approaches to this, there is a risk of duplication, confusion and inefficiency.

To develop a shared approach for defining and assessing suppliers’ management systems, the GSCP has set up a centralised Expert Working Group  (EWG) to define common requirements for the establishment and assessments of these systems.

The scope of the work covers core requirements that need to be agreed upon to ensure consistency and avoid duplication. The scope of the EWG does not cover implementation, assessment and training other than in the form of guidance for implementation. The Reference tool for Social & Labour Management Systems for Suppliers will include valuable examples and wherever possible point to existing practice and processes put forward by other resources.

To ensure good coordination with existing efforts and that a general consistent approach is built, the following groups of stakeholders will be involved in the work:

Development process

Phase 1: gap analysis and supplier input | completed February 2012

The EWG performed a gap analysis, compiling, analysing and agreeing on best existing practices to integrate them as high‐level/core requirements within the 1st draft Reference tool. The gap analysis was complemented by a questionnaire (available in English and Mandarin) sent by member companies to their suppliers, enquiring about current management practices on social compliance to ensure the applicability of the requirements at suppliers’ level. Feedback was received from 35 supplier companies and integrated as appropriate into the draft Reference tool.

Phase 2: EWG and other stakeholder review | in progress

The stakeholders identified will be associated to the work and invited to share their expertise, provide feedback and discuss the integration of comments with the group. Webinars, conference calls and meetings will ensure their participation in the EWG work.

Centralised Expert Working Group

Timeline summary

Development phase: March 2011 - in progress

For any questions regarding the work on Social & Labour Management Systems for Suppliers, please contact Didier Bergeret, GSCP Senior Manager on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it