OBJECTIVES

The programme’s main objectives are:

• To define a clear and consistent message to both suppliers and the authorities by building consensus on existing best practices
• To coordinate existing industry efforts to allow for:

• Mutual recognition of audit results and reduction of duplication
• Better allocation of resources to help suppliers implement fair labour conditions
• The development of adapted collaborative training and capacity/capability building activities in partnership with suppliers
• A constructive dialogue with civil society stakeholders, institutions and authorities

SCOPE & PRINCIPLES

GSCP Scope:

• All companies
• All consumer products
• All geographies
• Labour standards in supply chains

 GSCP Principles:

• Non-competitive: the programme shall not be used for marketing or competitive advantage.
• No duplication (upgrade of existing systems): seek harmonisation by identifying and integrating best practices from existing code and implementation systems (individual or collaborative) and allow mutual learning and upgrade of most existing systems.
• No lowering of existing standards: in promoting harmonisation of existing systems, only best practices will be retained.
• Open source: any reference tools created in the framework of GSCP will be made freely available so that any company or group of companies can integrate them in their existing system if they wish to.
• Transparency: seek independent external expertise, advice and constructive support from civil society stakeholders (NGOs, Trade Unions, International Organisations, SRIs, Academia, etc.) in the pursuit of the programme’s objectives.

BENEFITS

The programme has been constructed to deliver benefits to all players along the value chain:

FOR SUPPLIERS Clarity & consistency in Labour Standard requirements Fewer audits with a focus on building capacity Time and resources to reinvest in production quality & FOR WORKERS Clear understanding of what their rights are Improvement of working conditions Monitor and challenge their employers Ability to raise issues directly with purchasing companies	FOR RETAILERS/BRANDS/MANUFACTURERS Lower complexity and costs Increase quality of results with concentration of resources Increase leverage through critical mass Free up resources to work on remediation More effective risk management Constructive and consistent way of working with key civil society stakeholders
FOR EXISTING MONITORING INITIATIVES Exchange and integrate best practices: At a global level Across sectors Increase reach and greater value for members Transparency and comparability	FOR CIVIL SOCIETY STAKEHOLDERS Help corporations to stay on the right track while remaining independent Provide advice and constructive support on the strategic direction of GSCP Monitor and evaluate progress Provide guidance on remediation