SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY SOLUTIONS
The Importance of Monitoring Working Environments

Companies with international business operations are increasingly held accountable not only for their own performance but also for the performance of their international supply chain, including the working conditions of factories in which a product is manufactured.
If a company or brand becomes associated with below standard working environments or human rights violations, it risks negatively impacting brand value, image, and market opportunities.

What is social accountability?
Social accountability is the assessment and ongoing monitoring of working conditions in manufacturing environments. Audits can be conducted to a company’s own code of conduct or to industry standards established by organisations such as the Fair Labour Association (FLA), the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI), Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP), or SA8000 (Social Accountability). Most social standards address the following:

- Child labour
- Forced labour and discipline practices
- Freedom of Association
- Abuse and harassment
- Non discrimination
- Health and safety
- Wages and benefits
- Environment
- Working hours
- Subcontracting practices

What are the key benefits?
A strong and on-going social accountablity program can help your company:

- Strengthen and protect your brand image and reputation
- Minimise/manage liability from your international supply chain
- Ensure long-term relations with suppliers and continued development in the area of social accountability
- Satisfy stakeholders including investors, customers, regulators, activists, labour unions and the news media.