IAF & ITMF joint statement on audit and standard fatigue

In collaboration with the Standard Convergence Initiative (SCI), the International Apparel Federation (IAF), and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) addressed textile and apparel industry stakeholders, emphasizing the imperative to combat audit and standard fatigue effectively. The points made were:

Reinstating audit fatigue: Amidst the escalating demand for ethical procurement practices, especially in the context of mandatory human rights due diligence, we advocate for a renewed focus on addressing audit fatigue decisively.

Embracing third-party standards: It is paramount for brands and retailers to recognize that collaborating with third-party standard holders, rather than relying on proprietary standards, should be the preferred approach in the majority of cases.

Endorsing the CAF: Backed by robust evidence, the Social & Labor Convergence Program's Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) emerge as the most promising avenue for curbing duplicative social auditing. They urged supply chain actors and standard holders to integrate or accept SLCP data into their systems.

Streamlining standards: The said efforts must be intensified to mitigate standard fatigue, particularly by standard holders who should minimize unnecessary discrepancies in standards. The SCI, spearheaded by IAF and ITMF, endeavors to align industry initiatives, multi-stakeholder endeavors, and proprietary tools of brands and retailers to alleviate audit and standard fatigue within the textile and footwear sector.

Combatting audit fatigue stands as a pivotal measure in fostering responsible procurement practices. Recognizing the significance of reducing the audit burden on suppliers, initiatives such as the Common Framework for Responsible Purchasing Practices and the Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative's Commercial Compliance white paper offer recommendations for diminishing audit duplication.

Encouragingly, the 2022 Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index reveals that over 60 per cent of suppliers now witness acceptance of standardized audits or assessments by buyers instead of proprietary tools, signifying a progressive shift within the industry towards curtailing repetitive and inefficient auditing practices.