This article gives an overview of the full SLCP assessment process, from preparation to sharing the verified SLCP report. It introduces the key stakeholders and tools involved at each stage and points you to more detailed resources in the Support Library.
The SLCP assessment process is built around a single shared tool — the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF). It brings together facilities, Verifier Bodies (VBs), Accredited Hosts (AHs), and brands in a structured process that results in a credible and actionable SLCP report.
The process has five stages: preparation, data collection, verification, data sharing, and using the SLCP report. Each stage involves different stakeholders and tools. The facility starts this process by completing an SLCP assessment, either jointly with an external organization or independently.
This article gives you a high-level overview of how these stages connect, and points you to more detailed resources for each topic. In case you're a facility and want to see a more operational overview of the SLCP assessment process, consult this support resource.
Preparation
Before the assessment begins, the facility needs to prepare. This includes familiarizing itself with the Data Collection Tool (the Tool), selecting the right assessment Step, deciding whether to complete a self or joint assessment, involving the right people across departments, and gathering the relevant documents.
The assessment covers data from the last 12 months. New facilities need at least three months of operational data to complete the assessment.
At this stage, the facility also needs to register on the SLCP Gateway and connect to an Accredited Host platform, where the assessment will be completed.
For more information, see resources below:
Data collection
During data collection, the facility fills in the Data Collection Tool on an Accredited Host platform. This can be done as a self-assessment, where the facility completes the Tool independently, or as a joint assessment, where an external organization provides support.
The Data Collection Tool is organized into sections covering key social and labor topics such as working hours, wages and benefits, worker treatment, and health and safety. The number of questions answered depends on the Step the facility selects — Step 1 (Essential), Step 2 (Progressive), or Step 3 (Advanced).
Once the facility has completed the Tool and reviewed its answers, it submits the assessment on the Accredited Host platform. The Verifier Body must receive the completed assessment at least 10 working days before the scheduled verification date.
For more information, see resources below:
- Converged Assessment Framework (CAF): what is it and how can I use it?
- Download Data Collection Tool: which questions are included in the Tool?
- Guide: Completing assessments on Accredited Host Platform
Verification
After the assessment is submitted, an SLCP-accredited Verifier Body (VB) verifies the data. The facility selects its Verifier Body on the Accredited Host platform before verification begins. You can find more information about SLCP's Verifier Body Selection model here.
During verification, Verifiers review the facility's submitted data, check supporting documentation, and conduct an onsite visit. They use SLCP's Verification Protocol and Verifier Guidance to carry out this process. The verification must take place within two months of the facility submitting its assessment.
The outcome of verification is the SLCP report — a verified record of the facility's social and labor conditions. The facility reviews the report in full before it is finalized and submitted on the Accredited Host platform.
It is important to note that the SLCP report is not a pass or fail certification. It is a data set that captures social and labor conditions without assigning a value judgment to the results.
For more information, see resources below:
Data sharing
Once the SLCP report is finalized, the facility can share it through the SLCP Gateway. The Gateway is the central platform where all verified SLCP assessment data is stored. It is free for all facilities to use, as well as to share the report as many times as required.
Facilities own their SLCP data and control how it is shared. From the Gateway, a facility can share its report with brands, other Accredited Hosts, or other interested parties. There are three ways to share data from the Gateway:
- Manual sharing — the facility shares a secure link to its report directly with a brand or partner via Gateway
- Systematic sharing — the facility shares its report via an Accredited Host platform, which provides additional services to support data analysis and sharing
- Automatic sharing — brands with an API integration to the SLCP Gateway can request data directly from their suppliers
SLCP strongly recommends sharing reports via the Gateway rather than as email attachments. Sharing via the Gateway ensures that buyers have secure access to the verified original and reduces the risk of data integrity issues.
The SLCP report serves as a foundation for understanding and improving social and labor conditions across global supply chains. Different stakeholders use the report in different ways.
SLCP Report
SLCP does not apply any code of conduct or audit standard. Only raw factual data is collected; data that explains what the situation is like onsite. This enables users to determine compliance with National Labor Laws and International Labor standards which works, creating a data set that is compatible with existing scoring systems and can be used in wide range of ways to analyse the data.
Facilities use the report to gain an understanding of their own social and labor compliance performance, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate their commitment to working conditions to brand partners. Because one verified SLCP report can be shared with multiple brands and stakeholders, facilities can significantly reduce the number of separate social assessments they need to complete.
Brands use the SLCP report to understand social and labor conditions across their supply chains. The data can be mapped against brands' own Codes of Conduct or used alongside scoring and analysis services provided by Accredited Host partners. SLCP data indicated that in 2025, facilities shared their assessments an average of 2.7 times, with 25% of facilities sharing their assessment 4 to 6 times.
Accredited Hosts and other partners provide additional services at a cost that help brands and facilities analyze and act on SLCP data, such as scoring, benchmarking, and data analytics.
For more information, see resources below:
- Download Data Collection Tool: which questions are included in the Tool?
- SLCP's IT system and platforms
- Guide: Connecting to SLCP Accredited Hosts and sharing data
- Sharing SLCP Data and using the SLCP Acceptance list
- SLCP platforms: What is the difference between SLCP's CAF and Higg FSLM?