Supplier Audit Programs
Factory Audits, Factory Assessments
1.The challenge
As the markets are being more and more competitive, retailers, importers and buyers need a healthy vendors pool and a reliable supply chain. But how to select the right vendor? How to control the improvement of your actual vendor? How to efficiently work with your Asian supplier in order to ensure better quality day after day? The Factory Audit Serviceswill help you to get the relevant information you need in order to securely do business with an Asian partner and to improve your collaboration.
2.The solution
In order to make sure that the selected factory has a real backbone to produce your type of goods and that the products will be made in good conditions, you should hire an independant and impartial quality assurance company such as TOPWIN in order to complete the right factory audit and assess the profile, capacity, know-how of your potential vendor. This due diligence should be systematically part of your quality assurance program.
Factory Audits are performed according to:
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Recognized international quality standards, norms regulations
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Client's requirements, specifications, criteria and instructions.
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TOPWIN team expertise and experience in quality control.
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TOPWIN Western common sense.
When are the Factory Audits services performed?
The Factory Audits should be performed when you have short listed several potential vendors.
The Simple Factory Audit is designed for buyers who want to quickly screen potential vendor(s).
The Extensive Factory Audit is designed for buyers who want to have a deeper assessment of its (potential) vendor profile, capacity and capability.
Where are the Factory Audits services performed?
The Factory Audits are done at the manufacturer's premises,ie: at the factory, while most people are usually in touch with sales office, buying offices or simple vendors and intermediaries like agents. The TOPWIN auditors can cover almost all of Asia, see our service coverage area for more information.
Please check each service in details:
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Factory Evaluation.
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Extensive Factory Audit.
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Corporate Social Audit.
Your benefits when booking our Factory Audit services:
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Avoid scams and inexperienced vendors.
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Know if you are dealing with a vendor or factory.
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Check factory's experience in manufacturing the targeted product(s).
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Get a list of your manufacturer's strengths and weaknesses.
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Check if your chosen factory has the relevant and needed certificates and licenses.
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Compare potential vendors and choose the right partner(s) who fits your needs.
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Improve your collaboration with existing partners and factories.
Factory Evaluation
What is the Factory Evaluation?
The Factory Evaluation (FE) should be performed before the buyer places an order with a new vendor and only takes one day. The Factory Evaluation is done at your manufacturer's premises, anywhere in Asia.
The added value of a Factory Evaluation?
Our main service is the Extensive Factory Audit, which takes 2 man-days to achieve. The Factory Evaluation is also based on the ISO9000 norm but made simpler. If it's the first time you work with a factory, you want to work in a long term partnership or your products cannot be put in anyone's hands, you might need this audit. Trust is important but in business you need to know exactly who you are dealing with: a vendor, a factory or even a middleman.It is not as exhaustive as the Extensive Factory Audit, but it will give you a good picture of your business partner.
Highlights of this factory evaluation service
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Avoiding scams and inexperienced vendors
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Compare potential vendors and select viable source
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Check the needed certificates and licenses for the specific factories
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Check the experience in manufacturing targeted products of the factory
What do we check during a Factory Evaluation?
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FACTORY PROFILE: name, contact details, licenses check etc.
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EMPLOYEES and WORKFORCE: management, QC, workers etc.
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FACILITY CHECK: office, equipment, production lines etc.
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CLIENTS and EXPERIENCE: trade history, samples check etc.
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DOCUMENTS VERIFICATION: licenses, certificates etc.
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The FE also includes: production line status, vendor organization, production capability and capacity, a quick check on the existing quality system.
Why should I book this audit?
Because you do not want to buy blind! An on site visit by an experienced auditor is the only way to verify your potential business partner's profile. This Factory Evaluation will allow you to know who you are dealing with for only 328 USD all inclusive.
Extensive Factory Audit(EFA)
What is the Extensive Factory Audit?
The Extensive Factory Audit (EFA) is usually performed before you intend to place an order with a new vendor. This factory audit is usually performed during two days. This factory audit is performed at your manufacturer's premises.
The added value of an Extensive Factory Audit
The Extensive Factory Audit follows the ISO 9000 standard and abides by the criteria of their norms. With this factory audit, you will be fully aware of the status of your business partner. If it's the first time you've worked with a factory, you want to work in a long term partnership or your products cannot be put in anyone's hands, you might need this factory audit. Trust is important but in business you need to know exactly who you are dealing with: a vendor, a factory or even a middleman.
Highlights of this factory audit service
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Avoiding scams and inexperienced vendors
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Compare potential vendors and select a viable source
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Check the needed certificates and licenses for the specific factories
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Check the experience of the factory in manufacturing targeted products
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Get the full view of the factory structure, its organization, quality process and experience
What do we check during an Extensive Factory Audit?
The EFA will be completed by an experienced auditor, who will check the factory according to ISO 9000 standards. These checks include the full profile of your potential vendor / factory / manufacturer:
A. Factory Profile: name, contact details, licenses check etc.
B. Employees and Workforce: management, QC, workers etc.
C. Facility Check: office, equipment, production lines etc.
D. Clients and Experience: trade history, samples check etc.
E. Documents Verification: licenses, certificates etc.
F. Management System:
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Design Control.
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Purchasing Control.
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Storage Management.
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Incoming Inspection.
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Production Control / Inspection / Testing.
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Continual Improvement.
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Social Environment Responsibility.
Why should I book this factory audit?
Because choosing the right partner is difficult and important. Assessing your vendor according to existing and recognized international quality standards is valuable.
Corporate Social Audit
What is Corporate Social Audit?
The Corporate Social Audit (CSA) should be performed to ensure that you are doing business with factories in which social rights are respected.
The added value of a Social Audit
Our experienced social auditor, with 10 years of experience in Social Responsibility Audits will check the factory according to international standards and the SA8000 recognized standard.
We will work with you to prepare this social audit with your factory. We have a protocol but we can follow your requirements to go further in the “social friendly” specifications. It would also enhance your image by being socially compliant, more responsible and more trustable.
What do we check during a Corporate Social Audit?
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Child labor.
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Forced labor.
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Health & Safety.
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Freedom of association and right to bargain.
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Discrimination.
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Disciplinary practices.
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Working hours and Environment.
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Compensation.
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Management Systems.
Following a social audit, we issue a Corrective Action Plan, explaining the required improvements and corresponding timetable to the factory. Our approach is pragmatic and efficient.
Why should I book this social audit?
Dealing with a vendor who is not complying with international basic laws is not the right choice. Starting a proactive sustainable procurement approach could be valuable for you and your clients. A communication campaign denouncing working conditions in your factory could be devastating for your brand.
Highlights of this audit service
Performing a Corporate Social Audit will allow you to:
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Avoid bad factories: dangerous working conditions, child labor etc.
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Start a proactive approach of sustainable development
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Know from how far is your vendor from the SA8000 certification.
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Compare potential vendors and choose the right one.
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Show your client(s) you care.
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Save time and secure your business!
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C-TPAT Audit
C-TPAT Compliance
TOPWIN qualified auditors assist organizations to assess and enhance security measures throughout their supply chains and ensure compliance with security requirements.
We perform supply chain security audits against all Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT global and regional requirements) ensuring:
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Outside Barriers and Physical Security
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Factory Internal Security
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Factory Employee Security
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Shipping Dock Security
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Key and Seal Controls
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Security Processes
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Container and Merchandise Movement
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Computer Systems Security and Controls
Securing the Global Supply Chain
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security.
C-TPAT recognizes that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the ultimate owners of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers.
Through this initiative, CBP is asking businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate and verify the security guidelines of their business partners within the supply chain.
Environmental Audit
The Environmental Audit (EA) should be performed to ensure that you are doing business with factories in which environment regulations and international environment standards are respected. The Environmental Audit in China and Asia assesses a factory as per ISO 14001.
What is the benefit of an Environmental Audit?
Our experienced and certified ISO 14001 auditors will check the factory's environmental management system according to international standards and the ISO 14001 recognised standard.
We have a protocol but we can follow your requirements to go further in the “environmentally friendly” specifications.
The environmental audit in China and Asia will verify that your supplier's systems recognise and comply with environmental laws and regulations. It would also enhance your image by being environmentally compliant, more responsible and more trustable.
What do we check during an Environmental Audit?
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Environmental Policy
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Definition of the environmental aspects related to manufacturer activities
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Legal requirements compliance
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Environmental objectives and program
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Noise
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Handling and storage of chemicals
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Waste and Wastewater disposal
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Air pollution
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Resource consumption
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Emergency preparation
Following an environmental audit in China and Asia, we issue a Corrective Action Plan, explaining the required improvements and corresponding timetable to the factory. Our approach is pragmatic and efficient.
Why should I book an Environmental Audit?
Dealing with a vendor who is not complying with basic international environmental laws is dangerous.
Showing your business partners and community that you are environmentally responsible and starting a proactive sustainable procurement approach could be valuable for you and your clients. A communication campaign denouncing environmental effects and production condition of your factory could be devastating for your brand.
Highlights of this Audit service:
Performing an environmental Audit in China and Asia will allow you to:
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Avoid bad factories: dangerous working conditions, pollution, not complying with legal requirements.
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Start a proactive approach of sustainable development.
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Know from how far is your vendor from the ISO 14001 certification.
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Compare potential vendors and choose the right one.
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Show your client(s) you care.
SMETA Audit (Sedex)
Social Accountability Standards
Child labour: Companies may not support the use of child labor. The Social Accountability International (SAI) standard defines child labor as the work of "any person under 15 years of age, unless local minimum age law stipulates a higher age for work."
Forced Labor: Companies may not support the use of "forced labor."
Health and Safety: Companies must provide a safe and healthy working environment for their employees.
Freedom of Association and Right to collective Bargaining: Companies must respect the right of all employees to form and join trade unions of their choice and to bargain collectively.
Discrimination: Companies may not engage in or support discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, or political affiliation.
Disciplinary practices: Companies may not engage in or support the use of corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse.
Working hours: Companies must comply with applicable laws and industry standards on working hours.
Compensation: Companies must ensure that wages paid for a standard working week meet at least legal or industry minimum standards.
Management systems: Top management must define the company's policy for social accountability and labor conditions to ensure that it includes a commitment to conform to all requirements of this standard and national and other applicable laws.
Credit Audit
When is a suitable time to conduct a Credit Audit?
When you are planning to start important cooperation with either the new or existing suppliers, QCANT Credit Audit can help you have an understanding about the most updated financial standing of the factory.
What criteria are covered in a Credit Audit?
Below aspects can be included in a Credit Audit:
| √Registration and ownership | √History |
| √Key executives | √Key financial figures in the past three years |
| √Industrial comparison | √Banking |
| √Operation | √Sales and purchase |
| √Payment record | √Credit rating analysis |