Who is it for?

BSCI is a globally recognised standard used to assess the ethical conduct of companies operating within the supply chain. This code was developed by the non-profit organisation amorfi, based in Brussels. It is a global association working to promote sustainable trade that fosters prosperity and supports socio-economic development. 

Amorfi brings together hundreds of companies from around the world. These include: ALDI, Deichmann, ESPRIT, INTERSPORT, LIDL, Jysk, Rossmann, S.Oliver. KappAhl, OBI, Tom Tailor. The BSCI is applicable to every business, regardless of size or sector. The BSCI standard is designed for companies that wish to implement sustainable business practices and thereby operate in accordance with the highest ethical standards.

Information about the standard

The BSCI Code of Conduct (Business Social Compliance Initiative) is a set of values and principles reflecting the beliefs of amfori BSCI participants, which signatories strive to implement within their supply chains and expect their business partners to adhere to. The BSCI Standard has been developed on the basis of key international agreements and conventions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Principles on Business and the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the UN Global Compact, the guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the recommendations of the International Labour Organisation regarding the improvement of working conditions in the supply chain.

The BSCI Code of Conduct covers areas such as:

• the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining,
• non-discrimination,
• fair wages,
• reasonable working hours,
• health and safety at work,
• prohibition of child labour,
• special protection for young workers,
• prohibition of hazardous work,
• prohibition of forced labour,
• environmental protection,
• business ethics.

The main objective of the BSCI is to improve working conditions within the global supply chain, and the BSCI’s mission is to support signatories in their pursuit of this objective. The organisation provides its members with tools to manage their operations in accordance with the principles of corporate social responsibility.

Compliance with the standard’s requirements is verified through audits conducted by accredited bodies. The assessment of operations in accordance with the BSCI in the areas mentioned above covers:

• basic company information,
• the core requirements of the BSCI standard (compliance with environmental and social regulations) – corrective actions in this area are mandatory,
• requirements arising from best practices for the industrial sector – corrective actions in this area are voluntary.

The outcome of the initial audit determines the timing of the next one. If serious non-conformities are identified, a follow-up audit is conducted within 12 months to verify the effectiveness of the corrective actions. If the company meets the BSCI standard requirements, the audit is repeated after three years. The BSCI standard is not subject to certification.

Benefits of implementation

Joining the amorfi BSCI and implementing its code of conduct serves to:

• an overall improvement in working conditions within the company,
• streamlining communication and building partnership-based business relationships within the supply chain,
• improving operational efficiency and reducing operating costs,
• greater resilience of the company to changing market conditions,
• increasing competitive advantage over companies that do not operate to the BSCI standard,
• building a positive image of the company, both as a business partner and as an employer,
• facilitating the attainment of certification under the SA 8000 standard and related standards.