Verifier Bodies (VBs): how to become one and maintain an approved status?

A Verifier Body (VB) is an organization for which a Verifier works. The VB is responsible for:

1. Ensuring the quality and integrity of their Verifier's SLCP verification
2. Training Verifiers on SLCP, technical and social skills needed for verification, and integrity
3. Assigning Verifiers when a verification is requested by the facility

Companies can apply to become an SLCP approved VB for a specific country using this online application.

 

Candidate VBs must become an SLCP signatory first, sign the VB Terms of Use and provide information on their experience conducting social audits, policies and procedures on Verifier competency, policies and procedures on ethics, impartiality, conflict of interest, and anti-corruption. 

 

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 Body and/or maintain an approved status, APSCA membership will now be mandatory. The transition plan runs for 18 months: VBs and Verifiers must start their APSCA affiliation by June 30th, 2024, and Verifier Bodies must reach APSCA Provisional Member Firm status by March 1, 2025.

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

The table below highlights the key criteria that candidate VBs must meet. 

 

SLCP VB criteria are:

Criteria	Specifics
Organization type and experience	3rd party with minimal 3 years’ track record in auditing of social and labor conditions in textile, apparel or footwear facilities.
Geographical Location	Experience with social and labor auditing in SLCP roll-out country/region
Internal management system	Management system in place to select and monitor SLCP approved Verifiers, and assure quality of verification process including: Commitment to develop and enforce written policies and procedures on SLCP competence Commitment to develop and enforce written policies and procedures on training SLCP approved Verifiers Commitment to develop and enforce written policies and procedures on internal quality including rule to conduct an internal quality review of each Verification before it is finalized Commitment to develop and enforce written policies and procedures on calibration Commitment to require / provide documented integrity / ethics training to verifiers on a regular basis. Signed indemnification form for all SLCP approved Verifiers employed by Verifier Body
APSCA	A VB candidate must be an APSCA Full Member Firm

 

Additional requirements and criteria are outlined in SLCP’s Verifier Body Requirements, including processes to maintain SLCP competence, conduct SLCP trainings, monitor Verifier SLCP performance, uphold ethics and integrity requirements, and more.

Once approved, a VB is subject to review by the Verification Oversight Organization. Regular VB System Checks ensure that VBs uphold their commitments to developing and implementing policies and procedures on SLCP approved Verifier competence, training, ethics, integrity, impartiality, and internal quality management. All VBs are subject to a Check at least once every three years. For more information about VB System Checks, read our QA Manual. 

 

To access the list of SLCP approved Verifier Bodies, click here. 

 

In order to be considered eligible to apply as a Verifying body, it is necessary to first become a signatory to SLCP. Information on how to become a signatory can be found here.