Verifiers: how to become one and maintain an approved status?

As of January 1st, 2024, SLCP has started the implementation of the APSCA full alignment plan, aiming for greater integrity and accountability within our processes.

To be able to become an approved Verifier and/or maintain an approved status, APSCA membership will now be mandatory. Current SLCP approved Verifiers must become an APSCA Member Auditor by June 30th, 2024.

Detailed info on the APSCA requirements for Verifiers can be found in the Technical Bulletin here.

The Verifier application process ensures that Verifiers have the skills, knowledge and experience required to conduct consistent and reliable SLCP verifications. Employees of Verifier Bodies (VB) with an “active” SLCP status may apply to become an approved Verifier. Part-time or subcontracted Verifiers may also apply to become an approved Verifier only if the Verifier works on a subcontracted/part-time basis exclusively for one active VB for the purpose of SLCP verifications. 

Approved VBs will receive a link that they can pass on to individual candidate Verifiers. Candidate Verifiers shall follow the link provided by the VB to submit their application to the Verification Oversight Organization (VOO). 

The table below summarizes the general requirements that candidate Verifiers must meet:

Criteria	Specifics
Work experience	Minimum of 3 years of conducting social and labor type of on-site audits/verifications, with robust proof of relevant experience (e.g., number of audit days etc.)
Education/qualification	Post-Secondary Degree / Diploma. Required: - APSCA membership at CSCA or ASCA Level - Training on at least one social auditing system: SA8000, BSCI, WRAP, RBA, ICTI. Recommended: Training on at least one management systems auditing standard: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001/ISO 45001. Experience in conducting management systems audits APSCA registration/certification. Other relevant social scheme Auditor (e.g., Lead) approval/accreditation. Company internal social auditor trainings.
Knowledge areas	Thorough understanding of social and labor type of on-site verification processes, including project planning, communication, ethics. Excellent command of English and local language(s) in roll out country. Knowledge of international and local norms, laws and regulations relating to social and labor issues, e.g., local law, UN and ILO conventions. Knowledge of core management system requirements.
APSCA	APSCA membership is mandatory to become an SLCP Verifier. Only applicants from Certified Social Compliance Auditors (CSCA) and Associate Social Compliance Auditors (ASCA) are evaluated by the VOO.