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Find below an overview of key SLCP terms and what they mean.
SLCP term
Definition
Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP)
SLCP is a multi-stakeholder initiative implementing the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) to reduce audit fatigue and provide high quality social and labor data in order to improve working conditions.
Audit fatigue
Waste of resources and fatigue caused by the repeated social compliance audits in a facility through different customers, brands and standards.
Converged Assessment Framework (CAF)
The CAF is a comprehensive and robust tool and verification methodology for gathering social compliance data that consists of three elements: 1. Data Collection Tool; 2. Verification Protocol; and 3. Verifier Guidance.
Data Collection Tool
The SLCP Data Collection Tool is used to gather data on a facility’s working conditions. The questions in the Tool are answered by a facility through a self/joint-assessment, after which an SLCP approved Verifier verifies the answers. The Tool can be filled in online on an Accredited Host platform or offline through an Excel file.
Above and Beyond
Section of the Tool in which a facility includes data related to workplace well-being and community impact.
Verification Protocol
The Verification Protocol explains the procedures, rules and process requirements for conducting an SLCP verification.
Verifier Guidance
The Verifier Guidance contains detailed information for Verifiers about how to use the offline Tool and fill in the Tool, i.e. creating the verified assessment report.
Verifier Body (VB)
A VB is an organization approved to conduct SLCP verifications. All Verifiers must work for a Verifier Body. The VB is responsible for:
- Ensuring the quality and integrity of their Verifier's SLCP verification
- Training Verifiers on SLCP, technical and social skills needed for verification, and integrity
- Assigning Verifiers when a verification is requested by the facility
Verifier
A Verifier is a person approved to conduct an SLCP verification, to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data collected through self-/joint-assessment of facilities.
Verification Oversight Organization (VOO)
The VOO oversees the quality and integrity of the verification process. They do this by conducting a thorough Verifier selection process and Quality Assurance (QA) activities.
Training Body (TB)
A TB is an organization approved to train SLCP users. All Trainers must work for a Training Body. The TB is responsible for:
- Ensuring the quality and integrity of their Trainer's SLCP training
- Training Trainers on SLCP, technical and social skills needed for training, and integrity
- Supporting Trainers when they conduct SLCP training
Trainer
A Trainer is a person approved to conduct SLCP training. Trainers provide necessary guidance to SLCP users who are interested in the program or who are already in the SLCP assessment process.
Accredited Host (AH)
AHs enable SLCP data collection and analyze SLCP verified data for end users. They are external service providers that have partnered with SLCP. There are Active and Passive AHs.
Active Accredited Host (AH)
A facility completes their self-/joint-assessment on one of the Active Accredited Hosts. On the same Active Accredited Host, the Verifier submits their verification findings. Verified data is shared from the Active AH to the Gateway (and can then be shared to other AHs).
Passive Accredited Host (AH)
It is not possible for a facility to do their assessment or have it verified on a Passive Accredited Host. Passive AHs only receive verified data (if facilities allow for that on the Gateway). They then analyze the data for end users.
Gateway
The Gateway is the central repository for all SLCP verified data. All completed assessments are shared to the Gateway after they have been completed on an Accredited Host (AH). Main users of the Gateway are facilities. From their Gateway profile, a facility controls how they share their SLCP verified assessments: they can send them to other Accredited Hosts or directly to their buyers.
Self-assessment
In a self-assessment, the facility fills out the Data Collection Tool by themselves (with all relevant departments/people included). Note: if the facility reaches out to a business partner to ask a few questions and/or get some clarification, it is still a self-assessment.
Joint-assessment
In a joint-assessment, the facility gets help filling in the Data Collection Tool. An external organization is contracted (paid or unpaid) to assist in completing the Data Collection Tool with e.g.:
- Advising on how to answer questions
- Reviewing the report
- Preparing for the verification
Examples of who can help: Verifier Body, Training Body, SLCP signatory brand, agent or civil society organization, social responsibility consultancy. Note: If a Verifier Body helps the facility with their joint-assessment, they cannot be the Verifier Body that verifies the joint-assessment in the verification.
Worker Engagement Technology (WE Tech)
WE Tech offers the facility the opportunity to include worker voice in the SLCP assessment process. WE Tech service providers provide a digital platform for workers to directly report information. Reponses are 100% anonymous and aggregated into a short summary report which supports the assessment process. WE Tech is optional in the SLCP assessment process, but mandatory in the case of a Full Virtual Verification.
Full Virtual Verification
Full Virtual Verification does not include onsite verification activities. The verification is conducted remotely. This method of SLCP verification is only possible in cases of force majeure (e.g., pandemic restrictions, act of nature) and the facility must meet a set of eligibility requirements. Full Virtual Verification focuses on a subset of questions in the Tool, always includes WE Tech, and both facilities and Verifiers must take mandatory training before starting the Full Virtual Verification process. All rules around a Full Virtual Verification are described in the Full Virtual Verification Protocol for Facilities.
Virtual + Onsite verification
Virtual + Onsite verification includes Virtual verification activities in addition to onsite verification. The facility can decide to undergo this method of SLCP verification to save time onsite; however, certain things need to be in place for the facility to effectively conduct virtual activities (e.g., management systems, technology). Although virtual activities reduce time onsite, they likely increase total verification time. All rules related to Virtual + Onsite verification are described in the Facility Guide to Virtual + Onsite Verification.
Desktop Review
A remote review, conducted by the VOO, of a verified assessment report, to check whether the Verifier supported the corrected responses with objective data and answered questions consistently.
Counter Verification
1-day visit, conducted by the VOO, to facilities that recently hosted an SLCP verification. Counter Verifications assess if verification procedures were followed, if Verifiers had the skills and knowledge to conduct the verification and if report content is accurate. Counter Verifications are not a duplication of the initial verification, rather a high-level verification including a sample of all sections of the Data Collection Tool.
Duplicate Verification
A different VB conducts a second (identical) verification at a facility that recently hosted a verification. The differences between the two verifications are analyzed.
Shadow Verification
The VOO joins an onsite verification to observe the process and assess the Verifier’s performance.