amfori BSCI
A private supply-chain social compliance programme managed by amfori (Brussels). 2021 Code of Conduct based on the ILO fundamental Conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on human rights.
Context
amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) is the supply-chain social compliance programme managed by amfori (Brussels), a global business network with more than 2,000 members.
Regulatory origin
Managed by amfori (Brussels). Current version of the Code of Conduct: 2021 (with 2024 branding). Based on the ILO Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Guiding Principles.
The 11 principles of the BSCI Code of Conduct 2021
Freedom of association and collective bargaining.
No discrimination or harassment.
Fair remuneration.
Decent working hours.
Occupational health and safety.
No child labour.
Protection of young workers.
No precarious employment.
No forced labour.
Environmental protection.
Ethical business behaviour.
Timeline
BSCI launched
The Foreign Trade Association (forerunner of amfori) launches BSCI.
Code of Conduct 2021
Current version of the Code of Conduct.
amfori re-branding
Re-branding of the organisation while retaining the BSCI methodology.
Applied case
An amfori-member textile brand uses BSCI to assess its 8 garment suppliers in Morocco and Portugal.
Requests BSCI audits from an accredited body for each supplier · annual follow-up audit.
Results: 4 suppliers grade A, 3 grade B, 1 grade D · mandatory corrective action plan for D with re-audit in 6 months.
Shares results on the amfori platform with other brand-members that share suppliers.
Internal policy: only works with grade A or B suppliers · exit plan for D if not remediated within 12 months.
Common mistakes
BSCI is not equivalent to the CSDDD.
The CSDDD requires an operational due diligence system with monitoring, grievance mechanisms, public communication and civil liability. BSCI provides social audits as documentary input.
It certifies neither product nor company.
BSCI audits suppliers’ production facilities (factories). It is neither a certification of the brand nor of the finished product.
A grade A does not guarantee the absence of breaches.
The audit is a sample at a specific moment. Cases may change between audits. Frequency and depth matter.
BSCI does not cover tier 2 / tier 3.
Historically, audits cover tier 1. Upstream spinning and farming fall outside the standard scope of BSCI.
Frequently asked questions
What is amfori BSCI?
Business Social Compliance Initiative, a supply-chain social compliance programme managed by amfori (Brussels), a global business network with over 2,000 members. The amfori BSCI Code of Conduct version 2021 (with 2024 branding) sets out 11 principles of responsible business conduct based on the ILO Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Guiding Principles.
What principles does the BSCI Code of Conduct 2021 cover?
Eleven principles: (1) freedom of association and collective bargaining, (2) no discrimination or harassment, (3) fair remuneration, (4) decent working hours, (5) occupational health and safety, (6) no child labour, (7) protection of young workers, (8) no precarious employment, (9) no forced labour, (10) environmental protection, (11) ethical business behaviour.
How is BSCI applied?
amfori member companies share audit results on a common platform: (i) producers are assessed via a BSCI audit by accredited bodies, (ii) A-E scale (A excellent, E unacceptable), (iii) mandatory corrective action plan for C-E, (iv) annual re-audit. Brand-members (retailers) use the results of common suppliers, avoiding duplicate audits.
What is the difference between BSCI and SA8000?
BSCI is an amfori compliance programme (membership + shared audits) with no independent certification. SA8000 is an auditable third-party certification (accredited SAAS body) with an external certificate. BSCI is more accessible and shareable; SA8000 is more rigorous and individually certified.
What is the difference between BSCI and the CSDDD?
BSCI is a voluntary supply-chain social audit programme. The CSDDD (Directive (EU) 2024/1760) is a binding regulatory regime of due diligence on human rights and the environment. BSCI can be used as partial evidence of CSDDD compliance but does NOT replace the mandatory due diligence — they are complementary tools.
Fuentes oficiales
- amfori2024Industry initiative
- amfori2024Operational documentation
- International Labour Organization2024International framework
