BSCI--Application Process

If a factory wants to apply for BSCI factory inspection, it must meet the following conditions:
1. Your customer must be a member of BSCI. Currently, BSCI has more than 1,000 members (as of the end of 2012);
2. The notary office will ask for the customer's name and verify with the customer whether the factory is their supplier;
3. All audit applications must be submitted to the BSCI database and authorized by the customer before they can be audited;
Application process: Contact the authorized notary public -> Fill in the BSCI audit application form -> Make payment -> Wait for customer authorization -> Wait for the notary public to arrange the process -> Prepare for audit -> Formal audit -> Obtain account number and password to query BSCI audit results.
If the goods are supplied to LIDL, the customer will designate STR or SGS to send auditors to conduct the audit. LIDL's audit standards have changed compared to the past.
Since 2011, Metro has designated its own recognized notary firms to conduct factory inspections, including STR, ITS, BV, SGS, HKQAA, etc.
Other customers rarely specify which notary firm to use, so factories can apply for any notary firm they like.
The notary office will determine the man-days and fees for the factory inspection based on the number of employees in the factory. For factories with less than 100 employees, the man-days will be 1.5. As the number of employees increases, the man-days will be increased accordingly according to the BSCI standard. The notary office will arrange the auditor's schedule only after the factory has remitted the factory inspection fee to the notary office's account. Generally, the factory inspection will be carried out about one month after the payment is made, and it also depends on the notary office's scheduling. If the notary office has a lot of factory inspection projects during this period, it may take a long time to queue up. If it is in July and August every year, which is the traditional off-season for these notary offices, the arrangement will be faster accordingly.
There are 16 notary firms authorized by BSCI to conduct audits, namely: ABS, ALGI, APCER, BV, LAVORETICO, DNV, EUROCERT, HKQAA, INTERTEK, IQNET-LTD, RINA, SGS, TUV-NORD, TUV, TUV-SUD, and UL-STR.