BSCI operates according to the following principles

The ultimate goal of BSCI is to improve working conditions in global supply chains. This goal can only be achieved through the strong commitment of participants to implement the system. BSCI operates according to the following principles:
Commitment: Our participants commit to adhere to the BSCI Code of Conduct as part of their business relationship with their suppliers, expressing their willingness to improve working conditions in their supply chains.
Consistent: We offer a single, unified system to our suppliers worldwide. The system consists of constituent codes of conduct and an implementation process that ensures consistency and comparability of audits.
Comprehensive: BSCI's social responsibility system is applicable to large and small companies and covers all products (including industrialized and primary products) from all countries.
Development Oriented: BSCI is not a certification system. We provide a step-by-step development approach to help suppliers gradually implement the Code of Conduct. Suppliers who meet all BSCI requirements are encouraged to go a step further and implement our best practices, SA8000 social management system and certification developed by Social Accountability International (SAI).
Credible: We only use external, experienced, independent auditing companies to conduct audits.
Focus on risk countries: We focus on risk countries where workers’ rights violations frequently occur. The main sourcing countries for execution-based audits are: China, Bangladesh, India, Türkiye and Vietnam.
Efficiency: The public supplier database established by BSCI creates efficiency and avoids repeated audits of factories that have already passed audits in the system.
Knowledge-based: The BSCI system provides learning tools at the supplier level, enabling suppliers to acquire knowledge and skills on how to improve working conditions on the factory floor.
Collaboration: BSCI fosters the involvement of relevant stakeholders in Europe and supplying countries.
Risk countries are defined based on the United Nations Human Development Index and the International Labour Organization’s index.