Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.
Engr (Textile)
INDEX
Sl. No Topics Page No Remarks
What Is Worldwide Responsible
1.
Apparel Production?
2. FACTS & FIGURES
3. WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES?
4. History of WRAP
5. The WRAP Principles
6. STEPS TO JOIN THE INITIATIVE
7. CERTIFICATION LEVELS
8. Monitor Information
9. Geographic scope
10. Focus on Sustainability Issues
11. Perspectives
12. Certified facilities in Bangladesh
13. Reference
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
What Is Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production?
WRAP is an independent, objective, non-profit team of global social
compliance experts dedicated to promoting safe, lawful, humane and ethical
manufacturing around the world through certification and education. The WRAP
Certification Program is based on 12 Principles focusing on compliance with local
laws, workplace regulations, universal workers’ rights, the environment, customs
compliance and security. WRAP is also an IRCA (International Register of Certified
Auditors) accredited training organization and runs social systems and internal auditor
training courses and related seminars around the world.
FACTS & FIGURES:
• WRAP enjoys support of 26 international trade associations
• 1,850 factories from 60 countries participatedin WRAP certification program, which
is expanding to include all labor-intensive sectors.
WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES?
WRAP is the world’ s largest facility-based certification program for the apparel
industry. In addition to covering the core ILO conventions and having a Principle on
the environment, WRAP also covers customs compliance as well as security (in
keeping with the requirements of C-TPAT). WRAP certifies facilities, not brands or
businesses. It is not a membership organization.
The list of WRAP certified facilities by country can be reviewed on the WRAP
website. WRAP has its headquarters in the United States and has offices in Hong
Kong and Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a representative in India.
History of WRAP
WRAP was formed out of the desire to create an independent and objective body to
help apparel and footwear factories around the world verify that they are operating in
compliance with local laws and internationally-accepted standards of ethical
workplace practices. We trace our origins back to the mid-1990s when reports
surfaced of sweatshop-like conditions in numerous apparel factories around the world,
including excessive working hours, unsafe conditions, and the denial of several
legally-mandated benefits to workers. Recognizing that such a scenario could
jeopardize the apparel industry as a whole, the American Apparel Manufacturers
Association (now the American Apparel and Footwear Association) moved to
coordinate an industry response to the issue. A task force was formed which received
input from a variety of stakeholders including brands, suppliers, NGOs, academia, and
government officials. Based on their findings, the task force recommended the
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
creation of an independent third-party organization free of government or corporate
influence that could identify and reduce the prevalence of sweatshop conditions in
factories around the world. The first Board of Directors was named in 1999 and
WRAP was officially incorporated in 2000.
Recognizing that the program’s credibility depends on ensuring objectivity, WRAP is
specifically organized to be independent – both financially and in terms of governance
– of the apparel industry. This starts with the make-up of its independent Board of
Directors. Although the apparel industry is represented on the Board to provide insight
and perspective, by charter the majority of the Board is comprised of individuals not
affiliated with the industry. Further, structurally, WRAP is not set up as a membership
organization (yet, despite receiving no income from dues, memberships or government
grants, WRAP is financially sound, with its revenue being generated entirely through
facility registration fees and training revenues.
Today, WRAP has grown to become a global leader in social compliance and a trusted
independent supply chain partner for dozens of companies around the world. Its
comprehensive facility-based model has made it the world’s largest independent social
compliance certification program for the apparel/textile industry (according to a 2010
UNIDO Study, Making Private Standards Work For You, WRAP is the “standard
most often cited” for social compliance certification in the textile sector). In 2013
alone, over 2300 facilities from 50 countries participated, and there are currently
around 1900 WRAP-certified facilities, found throughout the world, employing over
1.65 million workers.
The WRAP Principles:
The WRAP Principles are based on generally accepted international workplace
standards, local laws and workplace regulations which encompass human resources
management, health and safety, environmental practices, and legal compliance
including import/export and customs compliance and security standards.
1. Compliance with Laws and Workplace Regulations
Facilities will comply with laws and regulations in all locations where they conduct
business.
2. Prohibition of Forced Labor
Facilities will not use involuntary, forced or trafficked labor.
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
3. Prohibition of Child Labor
Facilities will not hire any employee under the age of 14 or under the minimum age
established by law for employment, whichever is greater, or any employee whose
employment would interfere with compulsory schooling.
4. Prohibition of Harassment or Abuse
Facilities will provide a work environment free of supervisory or co-worker
harassment or abuse, and free of corporal punishment in any form.
5. Compensation and Benefits
Facilities will pay at least the minimum total compensation required by local law,
including all mandated wages, allowances & benefits.
6. Hours of Work
Hours worked each day, and days worked each week, shall not exceed the limitations
of the country’s law. Facilities will provide at least one day off in every seven-day
period, except as required to meet urgent business needs.
7. Prohibition of Discrimination
Facilities will employ, pay, promote, and terminate workers on the basis of their
ability to do the job, rather than on the basis of personal characteristics or beliefs.
8. Health and Safety
Facilities will provide a safe and healthy work environment. Where residential
housing is provided for workers, facilities will provide safe and healthy housing.
9. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
Facilities will recognize and respect the right of employees to exercise their lawful
rights of free association and collective bargaining.
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
10. Environment
Facilities will comply with environmental rules, regulations and standards applicable
to their operations, and will observe environmentally conscious practices in all
locations where they operate.
11. Customs Compliance
Facilities will comply with applicable customs laws, and in particular, will establish
and maintain programs to comply with customs laws regarding illegal transshipment
of finished products.
12. Security
Facilities will maintain facility security procedures to guard against the introduction of
non-manifested cargo into outbound shipments (i.e. drugs, explosives biohazards and
or other contraband).
STEPS TO JOIN THE INITIATIVE:
1. Application: To apply, click on the website’s “New Application” or “Renew
Certification” (whichever is relevant to the facility in question). A facility needs to
submit a completed application form online and pay a registration fee (US$1195) to
WRAP. This fee is valid for 6 months. Within this time period, the facility will need to
pass the WRAP audit and be recommended for certification.
2. Self-Assessment: Facilities with the help of the handbooks (in English, Spanish,
and Chinese) fill out the self assessment. This process is to assist them with the
upcoming WRAP audit. Facilities will need written procedures and
Documentation to prove that the facilities have implemented certain procedures. When
satisfied that it has complied with the requirements in the Handbook and self-
assessment for a minimum of 90 days, the facility notifies a monitoring firm of its
choice that they are ready for an audit.
3. Monitoring: An initial WRAP audit is conducted on an unannounced basis.
Monitoring firms provide 4-week window during which an audit can take place any
time.
4. Evaluation: Following the completion of the audit, a factory may need to have
another audit conducted if there are still outstanding non-compliances. The factory has
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
to correct the non-compliances and be in compliance for at least 45 days before the
next audit can take place. If the factory does not satisfactorily implement corrective
actions within the original six-month grace period, it must repay the registration fee in
order to be considered for certification. After a factory passes an audit, monitor will
send a recommendation report to WRAP.
WRAP staff reviews the report and send it to the Review Board for further review and
approval.
5. Certification: The Board reviews the monitor’s report to award or withhold
certification. During the certification period, all facilities, especially those considered
high risk, are subject to an additional unannounced inspection.
CERTIFICATION LEVELS:
PLATINUM (Valid for 2 years)
A facility must maintain a Gold certification for at least 3 consecutive years before it
can be considered for Platinum certificaiton. All Platinum-certified facilities must
successfully pass each audit with no corrective actions and maintain continuous
certification in order to remain Platinum (a facility whose certification lapses for any
reason must hold a Gold certification for at least 3 consecutive years before it can
regain Platinum status).
GOLD (Valid for 1 year)
Gold certifications are awarded to facilities that demonstrate full compliance with
WRAP's 12 Principles during an audit.
*NOTICE: Any facility that cannot show complete and accurate records regarding
wages and/or working hours during ANY audit (initial, re-certification, or post-
certification) will automatically lose eligibility for Platinum and Gold certification for
their current period. This includes any violations of Principles 5 or 6 where WRAP
monitors indicate issues with record keeping or cannot verify them due to
inconsistencies.
SILVER (Valid for 6 months)
A facility may request a Silver level certification if an audit finds that it is in
substantial compliance with the WRAP principles, but has minor non-compliances in
policies, procedures or training that need to be addressed. Facilities seeking
certification through this route must request a Silver certificate in writing from a
WRAP office at the conclusion of their first formal audit as a certificate will not be
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
automatically issued. Important points to note in this regard are:
• Facilities may not have any "red flag" non-compliances such as child labor,
egregious health & safety or environmental issues, prison labor, forced or
involuntary labor, or harassment or abuse of employees.
• Facilities must demonstrate that their employees are paid at least the minimum wage
and any required overtime compensation.
Alternatively, the WRAP Review Board may issue a Silver certificate if any of these
criteria are met:
The facility is a first-time applicant and has demonstrated difficulty in achieving
full compliance or has shown non-material non-compliances in one of these areas:
•working hours
•training and communications with employees
•payment of regular wages and overtime premiums
•any other factors that would bar the facility from being granted a
Gold certificate
The facility is applying for a re-certification, but non-material non-compliances
are found during the audit
Special Notices for Silver Certifications:
All Silver-certified facilities wishing to renew their certification must reapply prior to
the expiration of their certificate, pay a reduced registraion fee of US$895, and
demonstrate improvement toward achieving Gold certification at the subsequent audit.
A facility may be awarded no more than 3 consecutive Silver certificates. If a facility
fails to achieve full compliance within this time period, its certification will be
revoked, however the facility may reapply for certification using its original
registration number following a waiting period of 6 months.
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
Geographic scope:
Africa: Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, South
Africa
Asia: Bangladesh,Cambodia, China, Hong Kong China, India, Indonesia, Japan,
Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Pakistan,
Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United
Arab Emirates, Viet Nam.
Europe: Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom.
Central America: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti,
Honduras, Nicaragua.
North America:Canada, Mexico, United States of America.
South America:Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru.
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
Focus on Sustainability Issues:
Environmental requirements:
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
Social requirements:
Perspectives:
WRAP for Production Facilities
WRAP for Brands & Buyers
WRAP for The Public
WRAP for Production Facilities
Social compliance is no longer a secondary concern for apparel buyers and
brands. They are serious about wanting to know that the facilities supplying
them care about social responsibility. Through our Certification and Training
programs, WRAP can help your facility convey to potential customers your
commitment to responsible business practices.
WRAP for Brands & Buyers
Advanced Apparel Manufacturing AZMIR LATIF, MSc.Engr (Textile)
The world may be getting smaller, but apparel supply chains continue to grow
across borders and span a wide range of local customs, legal systems, economic
systems, and national traditions. Monitoring a global supply chain for integrity
requires significant commitments of resources including time, money, and even
people. WRAP can help maintain your supply chain's integrity in an efficient
and cost-effective way.
WRAP for The Public:
WRAP's goal is to make sure that manufacturing facilities operate in a safe,
responsible, and ethical way. Through our 12 Principles, we promote lawful,
humane manufacturing in facilities throughout the world via our Certification
and Training programs. What sets us apart from other similar social compliance
programs is that we focus on the ground level of a supply chain. WRAP only
certifies individual facilities, not brands or ownership groups, which means that
each WRAP certified facility has undergone a thorough inspection by a WRAP
auditor and is subject to un-announced follow-up inspections.
Because the qualities of our audits are crucial to WRAP's mission, all of our
auditors receive thorough training via our Lead Auditor Training Program. In
addition, we also offer an Internal Auditor Course that educates facility
personnel at all levels, from workers to senior management, about WRAP's
social compliance requirements and how develop and maintain them within
their facilities. Our course offerings have also expanded throughout the years to
meet the changing needs of the garment sourcing community. The most notable
of these is our Fire Safety Awareness Course which was launched in 2011 in
Bangladesh and has since expanded to several other countries around the world.
