Social and ethical management systems

	Child labour

What is the current situation?

The need for basic social standards is gaining increasing acceptance in international manufacturing and public discussions. Protests from civil rights organisations, but also from consumers, are directed particularly against degrading working conditions in the production facilities used by the import markets.

Effective campaigns of public protest can result in enormous losses in image and turnover for the increasing number of companies affected.

However, many manufacturing companies don't want to notice the obvious problems in Asian factories or accept the fact that they exist. They don't want to listen to criticism from non-governmental organisations and consumers and, above all, keep quiet about their own involvement and responsibility.

Some manufacturing companies already observe basic social standards. However, this still needs to be proven by an independent organisation.

Why social and ethical management?

Protecting your brand-name and corporate image by ensuring basic social standards need not result in any additional costs in your company. The effective implementation of socially responsible measures helps your suppliers and trade partners save costs, as well as increasing productivity and preventing brand-names and company names from appearing in the headlines.

The LGA has comprehensive practical know-how in the field of introducing and asserting basic social standards. This ensures that sufficient attention is paid to social standards by your international business partners on the spot. Our joint objective is to improve product quality, strengthen your reputation and avoid extra expense.

Steps towards social and ethical management

• audits, analyses
• setting up and implementing monitoring systems
• analysis of audit findings
• drawing up a plan of action for further measures
• help in implementing corrective measures
• support in implementing measures for improvement

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"Codes of conduct" are used as a basis for this

Definition of a "Code of conduct": social principle of behaviour; description of basic social standards which a company feels itself obliged to respect.

Social responsibility may vary from company to company.

• Fair wages
• reasonable working hours
• job security
• safe and healthy surroundings at work
• environmental protection
• a ban on child labour and forced labour

are all codes.

Some codes add other requirements for

• non-discrimination of labour representatives
• freedom of association
• disciplinary practices
• the observation of the most important conventions of the International Labour Organisation.

The codes only define basic standards, which are not to be misunderstood as upper limits or used against tariff negotiations. The company must observe all national laws and legal requirements. If national law and these criteria affect the same subject, the stricter regulation shall apply. Many companies have decided to record their principles of social behaviour in their own "Code of conduct" or similar documents.

These may be used by the LGA as the basis for certification. We can give you advice and support for the whole process or part of it, and will help you to get started.

The LGA is a public company in the form of a public-law corporation. Its legal constitution and corporate ethos guarantee impartiality and independence in carrying out its duties.

Contact

Christian Sieber TÜV Rheinland LGA Products GmbH Tillystraße 2 90431 Nuremberg Germany Phone: +49 (0) 911 655-57 76 Fax:     +49 (0) 911 655-57 77 eMail: christian.sieber@lga.de

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Last Updated: 09.09.2010