Founded in Brussels in 1977 as the Foreign Trade Association (FTA), BSCI can be described as a private association or union. In fact, this body was known as the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) until 2003, and is also regarded as having been established by the FTA in 2003 and having taken the name BSCI.
What Is the BSCI Certificate?
The purpose of BSCI's establishment can be stated as offering companies a practical and efficient system for improving social compliance in global supply chains. The success of BSCI, which set out with this aim, led it to adopt a new governance structure in 2011 and to integrate sustainability into its core work. In 2007, BSCI opened its first office outside Europe in Hong Kong. In 2014, the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI), now known as Amfori BEPI, was developed to support companies committed to improving environmental performance in their supply chains, and work began under this scope.
The standards set by BSCI are called the BSCI Standards. BSCI is based on the occupational health and safety and labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and encourages continuous improvement in the social performance of the supply chain. The goal is to be certified to standards such as SA 8000 (the Social Accountability Standard), and thereby to support sustainable working conditions worldwide.
BSCI Certification
BSCI certification is the service provided to companies that will undergo the tests or audits required to obtain the BSCI certificate. More simply, the activities aimed at obtaining the BSCI certificate are called BSCI certification activities. In Turkey, the procedures for this certification can be carried out by private companies. In addition, if companies wish to be informed and receive assistance on the subject before undergoing the certification-related audits, they can obtain consultancy services.
NBC Global Certification is among the private companies providing consultancy services on the BSCI certificate. The aim of this consultancy service is to prepare companies that will undergo an audit against the BSCI standards, or that wish to implement these standards in their organisations, ahead of the necessary audits and checks, and to raise awareness among managers and employees.
Services Provided Within This Consultancy Service
- Preparing the necessary documentation,
- Assessing practices related to working hours,
- Establishing a payment method that complies with legal requirements,
- Assessing practices related to child labour and young workers,
- Assessing working conditions such as suitable temperature, ventilation, noise, lighting, hygiene conditions and sufficient space to move,
- Assessing standards related to health and social areas,
- Identifying deficiencies in occupational health and safety and assessing risks,
- Assessing compliance with environmental legislation,
- Raising awareness on discrimination, harassment and abuse.
BSCI — frequently asked questions
What is required to obtain the BSCI certificate?
- A request must be received from an organisation that is part of the BSCI supply chain,
- Once the request is received and accepted, an audit plan must be prepared and an audit carried out in accordance with the BSCI standards,
- If non-conformities are found as a result of the audit, they must be resolved within the period allowed.
If there are no non-conformities, the organisation is included in the BSCI database. For as long as the organisation wishes to remain in the BSCI database, it is subject to annual surveillance and audits.
What is the audit process for obtaining the BSCI certificate?
The BSCI Certification Auditor who carries out the BSCI audit is a person with experience in the sector being audited. For example, if an audit is to be carried out in the food sector, the person conducting it may be a food engineer experienced in the food sector. The person conducting the audit must have completed SA 8000 Social Compliance Audit Auditor Training and hold the corresponding certificate. The basis of the BSCI audit is generally the labour law, the occupational safety law and ILO regulations. The provisions of these laws and regulations can be seen in the BSCI audit criteria. Whatever sector the audited business operates in, it must operate in compliance with these laws and regulations.
