For suppliers
This page explains, in plain language, what an audit is, what auditors look at, how to prepare and what happens afterwards, for manufacturers and workshops that have been told an audit is coming or want to get ready.
What is an audit and why is it happening?
An audit is the brand you work with seeing for itself how things run at your workplace. The brand has to show that its products are made safely, by the rules and by workers who get what they are owed, and an audit is how it does that.
An audit is a snapshot, not an exam. The aim is not to drop you but to spot gaps and fix them together. The auditor does not expect everything to be perfect; they expect honest, consistent records and no hidden problems.
What does the auditor look at?
- Whether workers are registered for social security and paid correctly and on time
- Working hours, overtime and weekly days off
- Workers' ages and conditions for young workers
- Fire extinguishers, emergency exits, machine guards and first aid
- Toilets, drinking water, eating area and general cleanliness
- Whether work is being passed on to another workshop
- In quality audits: fabric and material intake, in-line and final checks, needle control
How do I prepare for an audit?
- 01
Gather your documents
Have personnel files, social security filings, the last 12 months of payroll and time records, workplace permits, the risk assessment and the emergency plan ready.
- 02
Make sure records match
Time records, payroll and bank payments should agree. Do not alter past records to tidy them up; if something does not match, explain it openly to the auditor.
- 03
Walk your own floor
Check that emergency exits are clear, fire extinguishers are charged and reachable, and machine guards are fitted.
- 04
Tell your workers
Let them know the auditor will speak with them without management present. Do not coach workers on what to say; that leads to one of the most serious findings.
What happens after the audit?
At the end of the audit the auditor shares the findings with you at a closing meeting. You then prepare a corrective action plan (CAP) showing, for each finding, what you will fix, who is responsible and by when.
You show the fixes with photos, documents or records, and for some issues the auditor may come back. As findings close, you become a supplier the brand can rely on.