The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII) has formed a partnership with the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) to tackle the pressing issue of apparel audit duplication within the industry.
As part of this strategic partnership, SLCP’s Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) will be recognized as an approved data source for meeting the social fairness criteria of the Cradle to Cradle Certified (C2C Certified) Standard.
This collaboration enables suppliers to leverage SLCP data to demonstrate compliance with C2CPII’s requirements, ensuring fair treatment of workers and strong social practices across their supply chains.
By facilitating data sharing between organizations, C2CPII and SLCP aim to minimize audit duplication. This not only helps brands and suppliers optimize their resources but also allows a focus on driving meaningful improvements.
The acceptance of SLCP’s CAF as a tool for achieving C2CPII’s social fairness criteria is anticipated to bring tangible benefits to the apparel sector, including:
- Reduced audit fatigue: Eliminating the need for repetitive audits saves valuable time and resources.
- Greater alignment: Encouraging industry-wide harmonization simplifies compliance navigation for brands.
- Credibility and efficiency: Utilizing reliable SLCP data enhances the quality of social compliance information, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Increased sustainability: Less duplication in audits allows brands to concentrate on enhancing working conditions and pursuing circularity goals more effectively.
Steve Harris, COO of SLCP, expressed pride in this partnership, stating, “We’re very proud to be moving forward in our partnership with C2CPII. Using SLCP data to demonstrate compliance with C2C standards is a positive and practical approach to reducing audit fatigue. Facilities will no longer be wasting time and resources on compliance if they already use SLCP. It’s a fantastic win for manufacturers and underscores the adaptability of SLCP data.”
Elwyn Grainger-Jones, executive director of C2CPI, remarked, “As part of our commitment to social fairness, companies are required to prove that workers are treated justly and that they maintain strong social practices throughout their supply chains. By recognizing SLCP’s CAF as a valuable tool to satisfy these requirements, we’re fostering greater convergence within the industry.
“This recognition simplifies the certification path for both suppliers and brands, allowing them to prioritize significant improvement initiatives.”
