Since its initial launch in 2018, the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) has been continuously improved to better meet the needs of SLCP’s stakeholders and to remain a relevant and scalable tool for the industry. At the same time, SLCP strives for stability in the CAF so that data can be easily compared over time and to minimize implementation costs.
In April 2021, we launched a significant update. The CAF Version 1.4. consists of:
- new Facility Guidance,
- updated Verification Protocol allowing some virtual verification activities to accompany the onsite verification,
- updated Verifier Guidance to better explain Verification Data requirements.
- Better Work has also supported SLCP in the creation of country overlays for CAF v1.4 in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam to support compliance determination in national context.
On an ongoing basis, SLCP will review feedback of the CAF and evaluate necessary updates. We plan to update the Verification Protocol and Verifier Guidance this year, and most importantly, we are also going to issue minor updates to the Data Collection Tool (resulting in v1.4.1, v1.4.2, etc.) this year and in 2022.
The next major Data Collection Tool update (v1.5) is expected to launch in Q2 2022, which will be focused on some critical aspects to cover country specific compliance information. A more comprehensive major update (v1.6) will be expected in Q1 2023. E.g., this version will be further ringfencing Step 1 on legal compliance data points and will include OSH and social dialogue management system information that is critical to the ILO and its tripartite constituency (in Step 1). SLCP will convene a Taskforce comprised of signatories and stakeholders to advise on CAF v1.6 development.
To inform our next major updates to the Tool (v1.5 and v1.6), SLCP and Better Work will define a shared road map including above mentioned enhancements to support future improvements. Better Work will take a decision on scaling data sharing to other countries based on feedback from enrolled factories, brands and ILO constituents in above mentioned countries.
Minor updates (1.4.x) occur between major updates and are for content changes that don’t impact mapping of SLCP data points to codes of conduct or other standards. Major updates (1.x) occur every 1-2 years and are for content changes that impact mapping. View our FAQ here to learn more about the definition and impact of major and minor updates to the Data Collection Tool.
As with the transition from v1.3 to v1.4, SLCP will provide a detailed description of any major changes on our Helpdesk so our users can stay informed.
Members of the CAF Technical Advisory Committee, Accredited Host platforms and other stakeholders will be closely involved with the planning of these Tool changes, at any early stage.