Three key stages of the SLCP evaluation process

The SLCP project aims to create an integrated evaluation framework for social labor data collection and eliminate audit fatigue. The goal is to avoid duplication and reduce the number of social labour audits by replacing existing proprietary assessment tools. Resources previously used for compliance review will be re used to improve the working conditions of social workers, while increasing the comparability of social labor data.

Three key stages of the SLCP evaluation process

1. The factory conducts self-assessment or joint assessment. During the self-assessment, the plant manager needs to fill in data through Excel or any online system of an approved hosting platform. In the case of joint evaluation, the factory will get support from external consultants, such as the brand. The consultant participating in the joint evaluation can be the verifier, but not the verifier who will verify the evaluation data later.

2. The data shall be verified by the verifier approved by SLCP. It can be an independent second party (such as the buyer) or a third party (such as service providers, non-governmental organizations).

The verification must be completed through a SLCP approved hosting platform that hasintegrated SLCP data collection and verification tools into an online format.

The SLCP approved verifier checks the integrity and accuracy of the data collected during the self-assessment/joint assessment, and fills in accurate information when finding that the data is inaccurate.

3. The verified evaluation data will be sent to the Distribution Gateway and shared with the approved hosting platform selected by the factory.

More and more footwear industry brands and retailers are promoting SLCP, requiring their suppliers to complete SLCP factory inspection. So far, there are 226 SLCP signatories,including 51 brands and retailers, and hundreds of leading brands/manufacturers/retailers/institutions in the clothing and footwear industry.