Monitoring: “The hessnatur Screen”
At hessnatur, we’ve always taken pride in the long and excellent relationships we have with our suppliers. But, our trust is based on more than good feelings. We closely monitor the factories that produce hessnatur products with on-site inspections to assess the implementation of hessnatur social standards. We call it “The hessnatur Screen”. Every process, including safety standards and employment contracts, is inspected in detail. We even look for the correct installation of fire extinguishers.
Factory inspections help identify areas in need of improvement. A Corrective Action Plan – CAP – is drawn up on the basis of the audit report, whether the report relates to an audit performed by the Fair Wear Foundation or an inspection conducted by hessnatur. The CAP compiles a list of improvements that must be implemented at a factory. We then work with our suppliers to create solutions for each problem. These include a clear time schedule with deadlines. The supplier submits regular reports on the status of implementation and documents their progress. Follow-up inspections take place on site, either by an FWF audit team or by a member of the hessnatur staff.
The full implementation of social standards in a factory can take several months or even years, depending on the prevailing conditions in the respective country of manufacture. If the factory has problems with implementation, hessnatur provides assistance and support in order to achieve ethically correct working conditions.
We work closely with our suppliers at the point of production. The only way we are certain that the hessnatur monitoring is effective is with face-to-face contact. An environment of mutual goals and mutual trust is the best way to achieve success.
Tags: Fair wear, social standards, sustainability
Written by Stefanie Karl.
Loading ...