Certifications

ICS Standard

Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability

The members of the French Federation of Commerce and Distribution (FCD) launched the Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability (ICS) in the fall of 1998, inspired by the SA 8000 standard. ICS is an international sectoral initiative with the aim to enhance working conditions along global supply chains of its member retailers and brands. ICS is composed of 67 multinational retailers and brands in the sectors of textile, retail, footwear, electronics and furniture. ICS members collaborate with common tools, to mutualize audits, contributing to the reduction of the ‘audit fatigue’ and share knowledge and best practices. From the beginning, ICS involved an audit questionnaire with a rating system and systematic use of external independent audit companies. The objective of ICS is to support the factories supplying its members to sustainably improve conditions for people at work. The ICS Codes of Conduct define the core requirements of its members, while their individual Codes of Conduct, which they are free to maintain, can stipulate additional or enhanced clauses. The principal conclusions of all audits initiated by ICS members are registered on the ICS database and exchanged among the ICS members in order to avoid unnecessary repetitive audits. ICS actions are based on shared tools and a common methodology applied by all ICS members and securing a complete control of the audit process by brands. ICS Social and Environmental Code of Conduct defines the core requirements that suppliers must commit to. Before being audited, the factory fills-in the ICS Factory Profile notably with production site data and the list of production processes undertaken internally and externally. This declaration helps ICS members for the mapping of their supply chains. The cornerstone of the ICS system is the audit report questionnaire used in 65 countries. After the completion of the audit, the factories and the ICS members work on the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) recommended by the auditor.