Supplier documents can help buyers assess a sourcing relationship, but an audit, a facility certification, a product certification, and a customer review are different kinds of evidence. Before relying on a document, identify what was assessed, which site or product it covers, who issued it, and whether it is current.
Social audits assess a site at a point in time
amfori BSCI is a social-audit programme. An audit should not be described as a general BSCI certificate. amfori states that a BSCI audit can only be requested and approved by the RSP holder, the responsible member. Ask who requested the audit and whether the responsible member has approved the relationship. Read the report and corrective-action information for the specific site and audit date. See amfori’s producer audit request guidance.
SMETA is Sedex’s social-audit methodology, not a certification. Sedex describes it as a continuous-improvement methodology and says the audit produces findings and a Corrective Action Plan. Confirm whether the report covers two or four pillars, which site was assessed, who conducted the audit, and what findings remain open. See Sedex’s SMETA overview.
Facility certifications apply to the named facility
A facility certification concerns the facility identified by the scheme and certificate. WRAP offers facility certification and provides a directory for checking whether a named factory is WRAP-certified. Search the facility and compare its name and location with the site that will make your goods. Do not assume a certificate for one facility covers a supplier’s other sites or subcontractors. Use the WRAP certified-facility directory to check a WRAP claim.
Product certifications apply to defined articles
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is a textile-product label for articles tested for harmful substances. Its scope is the certified article, not a blanket statement that every product from a company is certified. Ask for the certificate number and exact covered article or components, then check the number and current validity in the official STANDARD 100 information and OEKO-TEX® Label Check.
Customer-specific reviews have a limited scope
A buyer’s own audit, vendor approval, inspection, or customer-specific review records that customer’s requirements and the review’s stated scope. It is not automatically a public certification, does not establish approval by other buyers, and may not cover every product, site, or future order. Ask what was reviewed, by whom, on what date, and which facilities or products were included.
What to verify before accepting a document
- Match the legal entity, factory name, address, and production site to the company and location on your order.
- Identify whether the document is an audit report, a facility certificate, a product certificate, or a buyer-specific review.
- Check the issuer, auditor where relevant, report or certificate number, assessment date, scope, and status through the issuing organisation’s current verification channel.
- For product documents, match the certified article, material, or components to the items being quoted or produced.
- Read findings, corrective actions, exclusions, and any stated expiry or review date. Ask for clarification when the document is incomplete or does not match the proposed production site.
Keep documents attached to the supplier and order they actually describe. A named document should never be treated as proof that a different site, product, or company has the same status.
For an underwear sourcing discussion, prepare your product specifications and target quantity. Review the men’s underwear range for product references or send an OEM inquiry.