factory inspection process

the basic process of factory inspection includes six links: the first meeting, on-site inspection, document review, workers' interview, management representative interview and the last meeting.

1: First meeting

After the auditor enters the factory, he should first hold a short meeting. The first meeting needs the factory director, supervisors and managers in charge of production, personnel, wages and safety, and if possible, trade union representatives will be invited to attend. The purpose of the first meeting is to understand the basic situation of the factory, such as the distribution of the factory buildings, warehouses and dormitories, introduce the purpose, methods and time schedule of the factory inspection, put forward a list of documents to be audited, explain the methods and requirements of workers' interviews, and answer questions raised by factory representatives.

2: On-site inspection

After the meeting, the auditor will conduct on-site inspection according to the division of labor. The scope of on-site inspection includes production workshop, warehouse, dormitory, toilet, guard and clinic, etc., mainly focusing on whether there is forced labor, safety, fire control and environmental protection of factory children, as well as the production and operation of the factory. Some customers have to take photos for archiving when they inspect the factory. Auditors usually check the workers' canteen when they are eating and the workers' dormitory during their lunch break to learn more about the real situation.

three: document review

the key points of customer inspection. Important documents and records include factory introduction, business license, employee code, factory regulations and disciplines, recruitment registration materials, labor contracts, working hours records, salary system, salary table, welfare policies, safety system, training records, safety inspection and exercise records, etc. General customers should check all personnel information, at least one year's working hours and salary records.

the auditor determines whether the wages and benefits meet the legal requirements by checking the completeness and correctness of the records of working hours and wages. Document audit can also be used as a basis for evaluating the overall management level of a factory.

iv: workers' interview

workers' interview is a necessary procedure for most customers to inspect the factory, and it is often required to arrange workers' interview outside the factory or during non-work hours. Worker interview is a separate conversation between auditors and workers' representatives, aiming at understanding workers' views and experiences, and understanding the management system and operation of the factory, so as to make the audit results more true and complete. Interviews with workers are conducted in groups or one-on-one without inviting factory managers. Workers' representatives are generally selected by auditors, not appointed by factories. Attached is an interview questionnaire.

V: Interview with the management representative

During the whole factory inspection, the factory management representative should cooperate with the auditor, who will consult and verify the relevant issues at any time in order to understand the operation of the factory. Sometimes, auditors will arrange individual interviews with management representatives to confirm the policies and opinions of the factory.

six: last meeting

the last procedure of customer factory inspection is the last meeting, and a few customers do not arrange the last meeting. Before the final meeting, the auditor summarizes the data collected during the audit and sorts out an audit result. The final meeting is mainly to inform the factory representative of the audit results, point out the nonconformities, regulations and standards, and answer the questions raised by the factory.