The latest VF factory inspection process, VF factory inspection special requirements

VF Corporation is one of the world's largest listed apparel companies. The company has a series of international brand products: denim casual wear, underwear, work wear, knitwear, children's wear, backpacks and swimwear, etc. Among them, the world-renowned brands include Kipling, Lee, Wrangler, JanSport, Jentsen, Brittania, Vanity Fair, Vassarette, Lily of France, Bestform, Red Kap, The North Face, Healthtex.Nautica, etc. Most of the company's brands are in a leading position in the sales market in more than 150 countries around the world.

As international brand clothing companies, China is their largest product producer. Every year, many Chinese clothing suppliers need to undergo VF audits, and only after passing the audits can they become qualified suppliers and supply clothing products to them.

VF Group's business in China is mainly operated through its wholly-owned subsidiary, HD Lee Apparel Limited. Lee entered the Chinese market in 1995 and now has its own retail outlets in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong and a nationwide franchise network. In the fall of 2003, WRANGLER, another famous denim brand under VF Group, also officially landed in the Chinese market, providing a brand choice full of authentic American Western cowboy style for the majority of denim apparel lovers.

Any supplier of VF brand products or VF authorized brand products needs to undergo VF factory inspection. In order to ensure the implementation of the factory inspection, this process is specially formulated for easy supervision. This factory inspection process is applicable to all cutting factories, sewing factories, printing workshops or factories, embroidery workshops or factories, washing factories and post-process packaging workshops that produce VF products. We will also conduct safety inspections on all factories that have signed contracts with VF (involving VF's textile, leather and shoe suppliers).

Before VF's factory inspection, the factory cannot produce any VF products. Bulk goods and related samples must be produced in the factory that has passed the factory inspection and cannot be sent out. If this clause is violated, VF has the right to terminate any cooperation, including the signed contract or other agency agreement.

VF needs to identify new suppliers at least 6 weeks before the start of production. Generally speaking, it takes 3-4 weeks to prepare and execute the first round of VF factory inspection. Relevant applications and requirements can be submitted through CCM.

Each factory inspection will thoroughly check every item of the factory to confirm whether it complies with local laws and regulations, including health and safety, social responsibility, forced labor, human trafficking, environmental issues, etc., as well as the factory's relevant archives of payrolls, license certificates, employee files, etc. Some workers will be invited to participate in the talks to understand and evaluate the working conditions of the factory.

If the factory also produces other brands that VF is authorized to operate, the factory inspector has the right to collect other relevant information at the same time according to the requirements of the brand licensor. In some countries, the brand licensor may insist on separate factory inspection operations. Suppliers producing products for the US student market may encounter factory inspections by the Fair Labor Association without prior notice.