While the means to deal with China and the Far East have never been easier, companies need to ensure there are procedures in place which allow for ethical trading. These are the basic standard methods of implementing ethical sourcing of which everyone in the industry needs to be aware. There are some standard procedures, which can be introduced to ensure these basic standards are achieved.

When receiving a brief from a client to source products in the Far East, the first step that needs to be taken (If this is a factory that you have not already audited and worked with before), is to mobilise an independent inspection house to visit the factory and complete an audit. 

There are many inspection houses such as the British Standard Institute (BSI) which can be utilised. These inspectors would normally have a standard factory audit. Check this list of criteria as you may need to add additional specifications for customers.

Standard criteria would include fair rate of pay, working hours, overtime pay policies, inspecting the canteen and monitoring general hygiene levels for example. These inspectors make it their business to check payslips, interview staff, take photographs and make notes on items that are not up to standard.

If there are certain conditions that are below standard or which don't meet the basic criteria, these discrepancies should be presented to the factory, offering them the opportunity to remedy the problem. If the factory complies and the appropriate measures are taken, (and re-confirmed by the inspectors) then an order can be made and manufacturing can begin. Also, once a factory has been approved, and you decide to order from them again, a second audit / inspection may need to be conducted to ensure these standards have been maintained.

It is every buyer's responsibility to act ethically.  There are no doubt consequences if we don't. Beyond simply ensuring that good working practices are followed, ethical sourcing and environmental considerations are about protecting your company and clients while trading with integrity.

For any help or information on ethical sourcing, or finding an inspection house, contact the BPMA 

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