SCS Global Services Becomes Newest Full APSCA Member Firm

SCS Global Services, an international pioneer and leader in sustainability standards development and third-party certification of environmental, social, safety and quality performance, is pleased to announce that it has become a full APSCA member firm. APSCA (Association of Professional Social Compliance Auditors) is a professional industry association dedicated to advancing the use of reputable, independent social compliance audits as a tool to assure good workplace conditions worldwide.

After being granted provisional membership in May 2020, SCS has been approved by the APSCA board of directors as a full member firm following a comprehensive assessment of SCS’ social auditing policies and procedures to ensure compliance to the APSCA Code & Standards of Professional Conduct.

“We are excited to become a full member APSCA firm, after having completed the provisional member firm process during the last year. This means that SCS has demonstrated its commitment to APSCA’s mission of enhancing the professionalism, consistency and credibility of the individuals and organizations performing independent social compliance audits. We anticipate that APSCA membership will become the accepted qualification for all social compliance audits, ensuring a high bar of competency and assurance in social compliance programs.” says Bonnie Holman, Technical Director of Sustainable Agriculture for SCS’ Food & Agriculture Division.

Social compliance audits extend well beyond stated company policies to assure that companies meet local, regional and international labor laws, as well as human rights, and health & safety standards. Confidential worker interviews, direct observation of working conditions and workplace health and safety, independent review of records and HR documentation, and management interviews are all part of the standard SCS social compliance audits.

In addition to being a full APSCA member firm, SCS is also approved by Sedex as an Affiliate Audit Company (AAC) to conduct SMETA(Sedex Members and Ethical Trade Audit) audits. SCS has a long history of conducting social compliance audits and is accredited to a wide range of internationally recognized certification schemes, including Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), Fair Trade USA, and SMETA. SCS’ full APSCA member status and certification programs demonstrate alignment to major retailer auditing directives, which mandate APSCA auditors for the above three mentioned certification programs.

As part of its commitment to promoting responsible social compliance auditing, APSCA has published a detailed “Competency Framework” that outlines what it takes to deliver effective auditing services. As part of its APSCA membership, SCS is committed to the highest degree of integrity and supporting social compliance auditing best practices as set forth in this framework. Companies interested in learning more about social compliance audits from SCS can visit www.scsglobalservices.com

Learn more about EFI, Fair Trade USA and SMETA audits here

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in natural resource management, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, supply chains, climate mitigation and more. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit www.scsglobalservices.com.