Other Topics
The New Era of Social Compliance: What’s Changing in SLCP Assessments?
Driving Ethical Supply Chains: Social Compliance Audits with ICG
Understanding the Key Acronyms Used in Social Compliance Audits
What to Expect During an Environmental Audit: A Step-by-Step Guide
Pre Audit Planning Explained for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Facilities
How AI Is Transforming Social Compliance for Sedex, SLCP, and WRAP Companies
Understanding the Evolving Social Compliance Landscape
How Your Supply Chain Risk Score Drives CTPAT Results
How Does Onsite Higg FEM Verification Empower Sustainable Apparel Manufacturing?
The Role of SLCP in Building Transparent and Responsible Supply Chains
Environmental Audits & Global Sustainability Goals
How SMETA Audits Strengthen Supplier Relationships
In the world of social‑compliance auditing, acronyms function as a shared language that helps auditors, brands, and facilities communicate clearly and efficiently. Programs such as SLCP (Social & Labor Convergence Program) and SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) set the foundation for how assessments are conducted, while certification systems like WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production), SA8000 (Social Accountability 8000), and FSLM (Facility Social & Labor Module) establish structured expectations for ethical production and environmental standards.
Audit activities are further defined through terms like IAD (Initial Audit), FUA (Follow‑Up Audit), CAV (Corrective Action Verification), and DA (Desktop Audit), each describing a specific stage or method of review. Findings are categorized using labels such as NC (Non‑Compliance), MNC (Major Non‑Compliance), MINC (Minor Non‑Compliance), and OBS (Observation), all of which guide the development of a CAP (Corrective Action Plan) or CAR (Corrective Action Request) to address root causes and prevent recurrence.
International standards terminology include ILO (International Labour Organization) and Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Common acronyms included in the reports may include OT (Overtime), PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), GHG ( Greenhouse Gas) and SDS (Safety Data Sheet), these anchor audits in globally recognized labor and safety standards. Meanwhile, management‑system concepts like SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), ERP (Emergency Response Plan), and HRDD (Human Rights Due Diligence) reflect the structural controls expected in responsible facilities. Platforms such as Sedex add their own terminology, including SAQ (Self‑Assessment Questionnaire), CAPR (Corrective Action Plan Report), and ZAA (Sedex Audit Reference Number), which support documentation, traceability, and continuous improvement.
Together, these acronyms form the backbone of social‑compliance work, enabling consistent communication and effective oversight across global supply chains.