WRAP FAQs: Certification Programs

Who can participate in the WRAP certification program?

Participants in WRAP certification must be independent production units. Parent companies, brands or retailers are not eligible to apply. In addition, WRAP's certification program mainly focuses on sewing products, clothing, footwear and related industries.

▼

How do manufacturers obtain WRAP certificates?

WRAP certification involves five steps. First, the manufacturer needs to fill out the initial application form on the WRAP website and pay the registration fee. Then the manufacturer will conduct a self-assessment on whether it complies with the WRAP 12 principles. The next step is for a WRAP-approved audit company to conduct an on-site audit at the factory. After the audit, WRAP will decide whether to issue a certificate based on the results of the audit report received.

▼

How long does it take to obtain a WRAP certificate?

The time it takes to obtain the certificate depends on the factory's preparation when applying. A factory may only need 6 weeks to obtain certification, but in most cases the certificate is issued 2-6 months after the application is submitted. Each registration is valid for 6 months, so if the factory needs longer to complete the entire process, it should pay the registration fee again or apply for an extension.

▼

How much does WRAP certification cost?

If it is the first registration of a new factory, or the re-registration of a platinum certificate or gold certificate, the WRAP registration fee is uniformly US$1,195. The registration fee is valid for 6 months. After the expiration, the factory must either pay the registration fee again or apply for an extension. This registration fee does not include the audit fee, which is priced by an independent audit company. The factory participating in the certification must pay the audit fee directly to the independent audit company. When a factory with a silver certificate applies for re-registration, the re-registration fee is discounted to US$895.

▼

Can multiple factories under a group obtain one certificate?

No. Each individual production unit must be certified separately.

▼

Which companies accept WRAP certificates?

More than 100 buyers, brands and retailers around the world accept WRAP certificates, although they have some differences in their own social responsibility programs. WRAP is still recognized as an independent certification program in the sewing industry. Some companies may choose to use WRAP certificates to replace their own audits, while some companies may only accept WRAP certificates from factories that have already conducted their first audit; some companies may also only accept WRAP certificates in certain countries, or only accept their own franchised business parts, or only accept WRAP certificates from factories audited by designated audit companies.