Social Audits under the RBA VAP Program

The Validated Assessment Program (VAP) is the social auditing program of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA). Formerly known as EICC, this alliance consists of leading global brands, who have agreed on a common code of conduct and social audit procedure in order to ensure social responsibility throughout their supply chains. As an approved audit firm for the VAP program, DQS will be happy to guide you through the process.

What started in 2004 with a small group of electronics companies is now a global alliance of over 150 companies with combined annual revenue of over $5 trillion. These companies have not only committed to upholding the code of conduct themselves, but also hold their tier 1 suppliers to the same standard.

Commitments alone, however, do not make the difference. This is where the Validated Assessment Program comes in: RBA has developed an audit protocol to ensure compliance with the code of conduct. DQS is one of the few audit firms that have been approved to execute the onsite compliance audits.

About the RBA Code of Conduct

The code of conduct, which serves as the basis of the audits, covers social, environmental and ethical aspects. The code consists of five main blocks:

• Labor Standards
• Health & Safety
• Environment
• Ethics
• Management Systems

The Code of Conduct is available online in more than twenty languages.

About the RBA VAP Audits

Compliance with the code of conduct is verified during an on-site audit. During this assessment, our auditors will conduct workers interviews, do a site inspection, and review documentation and records.

After closing all non-conformities, audited sites are eligible for the VAP recognition program. The recognition program is a way for suppliers to highlight their commitment to social responsibility, and has three levels:

• Platinum: for factories with a minimum VAP score of 200 and all Priority, Major and Minor findings closed
• Gold: for factories with a minimum VAP score of 180 and all Priority and Major findings closed
• Silver: for factories with a minimum VAP score of 160 and all Priority findings closed

DQS CFS – Your partner for RBA Audits

DQS CFS is your competent partner for RBA VAP audits. With smooth audit planning, experienced auditors and in-depth audit reports, we will accompany you throughout the entire process.

Particularly for social audits, familiarity with national regulations and local cultures and languages is essential. With a global network of offices and auditors, the DQS Group will be happy to assist you across the globe.

Why DQS

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