Audits and training

At Bestseller we use both our own inspectors and external inspectors to continuously conduct routine audits at our suppliers’ factories around the world. At these visits we examine whether the supplier follows Bestseller’s Code of Conduct, and from the audit we identify the areas in which a supplier needs to improve.

A typical audit will consist of an initial meeting, an examination of the physical conditions and then a detailed look at the paperwork and records. This is followed by a conversation with the owner or manager of the factory, and finally a discussion with a number of randomly chosen workers in order to get an overall picture of the conditions at the factory.

We conduct both announced and unannounced audits. However, Bestseller conducts more announced audits than unannounced. The reason for this is that by announcing an audit we can make sure that the management and all relevant employees will be present at the factory during the audit. Our audits are not only control visits they should also help us develop the cooperation with our suppliers. We mainly use the unannounced audits to follow up on previously identified problems.

A full report detailing all aspects of the structure and organization in the factory is sent to Bestseller in Denmark. A development plan with regular deadlines is made between the auditor and the factory owner based on the findings. The supplier needs to follow this development plan in order to be able to continue the cooperation with Bestseller. We believe that as long as a supplier displays improvement and is willing to have a good communication with us on these matters, we can continue working with factories that are not complying entirely with our standards, and work hard to improve the conditions over time.

Read more about Bestseller's audits on the factories

Supplier Training

Bestseller’s Code of Conduct activities also include training of suppliers. Via our BestSupplier Training Programme the suppliers receive training to optimise their productivity, employee satisfaction, the communication between management and employees as well as training of the employees. The training programme should help the suppliers implement the development plans which have been made on the basis of the audits.

Moreover, Bestseller has made a booklet ‘We Care About You” which informs the factory workers about their basic rights in relation to subjects such as minimum wage, working hours, discrimination, and general working conditions. The suppliers are asked to distribute a booklet to every worker. To start with, the booklet has been translated into Chinese and is distributed at selected suppliers’ factories in China. Click here to read the booklet.