Six key points to note in the factory inspection process

The factory inspection process generally includes six steps: the first meeting, on-site inspection, document review, interviews with workers and management representatives, and the final meeting.
1. Key points of the first meeting of the factory inspection process:
After entering the factory, the auditor will first hold a brief meeting. The first meeting needs to be attended by the factory director and supervisors and managers in charge of production, personnel, wages and safety. If possible, union representatives will also be invited to attend. The purpose of the first meeting is to understand the basic situation of the factory, such as the distribution of factory buildings, warehouses and dormitories, introduce the purpose, methods and schedule of the factory inspection, put forward a list of documents and materials that need to be reviewed, explain the methods and requirements of worker interviews, and answer questions raised by factory representatives.

2. Key points of on-site inspection in factory inspection process After the first meeting, auditors conduct on-site inspections according to the division of labor. The scope of on-site inspections includes production workshops, warehouses, dormitories, canteens, toilets, gate guards and medical offices, etc. The main focus is on whether the factory employs child labor or forced labor, safety, fire protection and environmental protection conditions, as well as factory production operations. Some customers also take photos for archiving during factory inspections. Auditors generally check the workers' canteen during workers' meal time and the workers' dormitories during workers' lunch break to learn more about the real situation.

3. Key points of document review in factory inspection process Document review is a key point of customer factory inspection. Important document records include factory introduction, business license, employee manual, factory rules and regulations, recruitment registration information, labor contract, working time record, wage system, wage list, welfare policy, safety system, training record, meeting record, safety inspection and exercise record, etc. Generally, customers need to check all personnel information, at least one year of working time and wage records. The auditor determines whether the wages and benefits meet the legal requirements by calculating the completeness and correctness of the working time and wage records. Document review can also be used as a basis for evaluating the overall management level of a factory.

4. Key points of worker interviews in the factory audit process Worker interviews are a necessary procedure for most customers to conduct factory audits, and they are often required to be conducted outside the factory or during non-working hours. Worker interviews are individual conversations between auditors and worker representatives, aimed at understanding the views and experiences of workers, and understanding the factory's management system and operations, so that the audit results are more authentic and complete. Worker interviews are generally conducted in groups or one-on-one, and worker management representatives are not invited to participate. Worker representatives are generally selected by auditors themselves, rather than assigned by workers.

5. Key points of the factory audit process: interview with management representatives During the entire factory audit process, the factory management representative should cooperate with the auditor. The auditor will consult and verify with the management representative on relevant issues at any time to understand the factory's operation. Sometimes, the auditor will arrange a separate interview with the management representative to confirm the factory's policies and practices.

6. Key points of the final meeting of the factory inspection process The last procedure of the customer's factory inspection is the final meeting. There are also a few customers who do not arrange the final meeting. Before the final meeting, the auditor will summarize the information collected during the audit process and compile an audit result. The final meeting is mainly to inform the factory representative of the audit results, point out the non-conforming items and regulations and standards, and answer questions raised by the factory.