CSR in every link: the SA8000 audit as guardian of socially responsible production

Over the past 50 years, Blycolin has regularly visited its linen producers in Italy, Turkey, Pakistan and India. This is done partly to see the production process firsthand and partly to assess the working conditions in the factories. An objective and factual check of these conditions is carried out in the form of an SA8000 audit. The factories where the linen is produced are certified and inspected through this audit, focusing on health, safety and welfare. In cases where suppliers do not conduct these audits themselves, Blycolin has them carried out by an independent agency (AQF). The Covid pandemic brought these inspections to a halt, but now the process is being resumed!

Blycolin receives its linen from various suppliers, who in turn source it from their producers. Blycolin does not have direct insight into the (working) conditions created by these producers for everyone involved in the production process. Therefore, Blycolin has SA8000 audits conducted at the producers and suppliers of the linen by an independent agency (AQF).

SA8000 is an international certification standard that encourages organizations to develop, maintain and apply socially acceptable practices in the workplace. It covers issues such as forced labor and child labor, health and safety in the workplace, freedom of association and collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, compensation, and management systems. SA8000 is a universal standard for companies worldwide, endorsing internationally established agreements like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the International Labor Organization. During the audits, an independent agency checks the producer on aspects such as working hours, wages, and safety. This results in a report that declares whether the producer adheres to the standards for a healthy working environment and the internationally established agreements. The report provides specific information about the topics and their scores.

The real step towards improvement

Blycolin aims to source its linen products only from producers who already maintain a good standard in these areas. However, there is always room for improvement in every organization. Therefore, the report serves as a guideline for improvements in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It is an independent, clear, and business-like tool, essential for conducting assessments. Blycolin finds These assessments necessary but believes that improvement on the producer’s part only occurs when these important topics are discussed and implemented in collaboration with the supplier. Encouraging improvement and sharing knowledge on approaches are indispensable in this process. Finally, applying a personal approach, tailored to the specific situation of the producer, is crucial. Only then can the real step towards improvement be taken!