SLCP is a multi-stakeholder initiative that provides a standardized and verified assessment framework to measure working conditions, labor practices, and social performance in factories—without giving a pass/fail audit result.
Key Purpose of SLCP
SLCP is not an audit.
It is a data collection + verification system that helps factories share one verified set of information with multiple buyers.
A Quick Look at SLCP’s Origin
As the program grows, SLCP continues to expand in countries like China, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Turkey — making it a global industry standard.
How SLCP Works: The 3-Step Process
SLCP follows a simple, streamlined structure:
Step 1: Data Collection
The factory completes the Data Collection Tool (DCT) through:
- Self-Assessment
- Joint Assessment (verifier + facility)
Step 2: Verification
An SLCP-approved Verifier Body (VB) reviews the answers to ensure accuracy.
This eliminates inconsistencies and ensures the data represents real conditions.
Step 3: Data Sharing
The verified assessment is uploaded to the SLCP Gateway and shared with:
- Brands
- Retailers
- Accredited Hosts (AHs) like Higg, FFC, Better Work, ZDHC (depending on brand requirement)
Final Outcome
One assessment → Verified once → Accepted by many buyers.
This is the biggest value of SLCP.
Why SLCP Matters for Global Supply Chains
1. Reduces Audit Fatigue
Factories no longer face 10–20 repetitive audits each year.
SLCP streamlines the process with one verified assessment, reducing disturbance and operational burden.
2. Saves Time & Cost for Factories
- No repeated audit preparation
- Lower compliance management cost
- One-time verification
This makes SLCP extremely cost-effective for large and small factories.
3. Increases Transparency & Trust
SLCP provides credible, comparable, and high-quality social & labor data.
Brands trust the data because:
- It is verified by an authorized Verifier Body
- The methodology is standardized
- No audit scoring means no bias or certification pressure
4. Helps Brands Make Faster, Better Decisions
With unified data, brands can:
- Compare factories
- Track improvements
- Ensure responsible sourcing
- Reduce overlapping requirements
5. Encourages Real Improvement (Not Pass/Fail Pressure)
SLCP focuses on:
- Understanding actual conditions
- Identifying improvement areas
- Helping factories build better systems
Instead of chasing a score, the factory invests in meaningful changes.
Upcoming Rule Change: A Major Advantage for New Verifier Bodies
From the upcoming year, SLCP will restrict the same Verifier Body from verifying the same facility consecutively.
Meaning:
Factories will require a different Verifier Body next year—creating new opportunities for fresh VBs like RSJ Inspection, who can verify a large number of facilities that previously worked with older VBs.
This ensures:
- Fresh perspective
- Better verification quality
- Zero conflict of interest
Understanding SLCP Man-Day (MD) Calculation
SLCP uses a structured formula to calculate man-days based on:
- Factory size
- Number of employees
- Number of units
- Complexity of operations
This ensures fairness and transparency in pricing across all Verifier Bodies.
Your team can easily understand man-day allocation using the official SLCP MD calculation guidelines.
Why SLCP is the Future of Social Compliance
SLCP is becoming the global standard because it:
- Reduces duplicate audits
- Supports responsible sourcing
- Improves supplier relationships
- Helps brands meet ESG goals
- Ensures trusted, verified data
As more brands adopt SLCP, factories that complete SLCP verification gain a strong competitive advantage.
How RSJ Can Help
As an SLCP-approved Verifier Body, RSJ Inspection provides:
- Competitive pricing
- Fast scheduling
- High-quality verification
- Experienced auditors
- Smooth coordination through the entire process
Whether you are a factory, brand, consultant, or buying house, RSJ can support your SLCP verification needs effectively.
📩 To know more or request SLCP verification — contact our team.
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