Audit methodology · Last verified
ICS — Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability
ICS is a shared social-audit protocol for 70 multinational retailers and brands; its audits are, in the owner's own words, neither certificates nor labels. Founded in 1998 by France's FCD retail federation, ICS lets member companies mutualize third-party audits performed by ICS-accredited audit firms.
- Class
- Audit methodology
- Owner
- ICS member companies (Initiative Clause Sociale)
- Last verified
What it is
"ICS is a France-based initiative created in 1998 by the FCD, Fédération Française du Commerce et de la Distribution"
"ICS is composed of 70 multinational retailers and brands in the sectors of textile, retail, footwear, electronics and furniture."
"ICS audits are neither certificates nor labels."
"ICS members verify the actual working conditions in their supplying production sites by mandating ICS-accredited audit companies to conduct social audits."
"ICS enables its member companies to collaborate with common tools, to mutualize audits, contributing to the reduction of the 'audit fatigue' and share knowledge and best practices."
Who owns it
ICS is run by its member companies — 70 multinational retailers and brands — rather than by an outside certification body.
Who assesses it
"Audits are only performed by third party ICS-accredited audit companies."
Who asks for it
ICS's 70 member retailers and brands mandate these audits of their own supplying production sites — the audit is a buyer-side supply-chain tool, not a facility-obtained credential.
Sources
- ICS — Methodology ↗ — accessed
- ICS — Our Story ↗ — accessed
- ICS — Home ↗ — accessed
Last verified:
This page is for information only; it does not accredit, certify or endorse any organisation. Requirements and programs change — always confirm against the primary source linked above.