BSCI Code of Conduct
The present BSCI Code of Conduct version 1/2014 aims at setting up the values and
principles that the BSCI Participants strive to implement in their supply chains. It was
approved by the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) Board on 28 November 2013 and overrules
the BSCI Code of Conduct version 2009 in all its translations. The present BSCI Code of
Conduct consists of three major sections of information: a) Preamble, Interpretation, Our
Values and Implementation, which apply to all Business Enterprises; b) Principles, which
address more specifically the BSCI Participants’ Business Partners and c) BSCI Terms of
Implementation, BSCI Reference and BSCI Glossary, which are integral parts of the Code
and provide more detailed information on interpretation and implementation of the BSCI.
The BSCI Code of Conduct version 1/2014 enters into force on 1 January 2014. The English
version of this document is the legally binding one.
I. Preamble
The Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) was launched by the Foreign Trade
Association FTA, acknowledging that international trade is an essential vehicle for human
prosperity and social economic growth.
This code of conduct (the BSCI Code of Conduct) is a set of principles and values that
reflect the beliefs of BSCI Participants and the expectations they have towards their business
partners.
The BSCI Code of Conduct refers to international conventions such as the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, UN Guiding
Principles for Business and Human Rights, OECD Guidelines, UN Global Compact and
International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions and Recommendations relevant to
improve working conditions in the supply chain.
Business enterprises that endorse the BSCI Code of Conduct are committed to the principles
set out in this document and to meeting, within their sphere of influence, their responsibility to
respect human rights.
BSCI and its participants (BSCI Participants) pursue a constructive and open dialogue
among business partners and stakeholders in order to reinforce the principles of socially
responsible business. Furthermore, they see the building up of mature industrial relations
between workers and management as being key for sustainable businesses.
II. Interpretation
In the BSCI Code of Conduct, the terms “business enterprises” cover both BSCI Participants
and their Business Partners in the supply chain, particularly Producers.
The appendices referred to at the end of the BSCI Code of Conduct (Terms of
Implementation, BSCI References and BSCI Glossary) form an integral part of the BSCI
Code of Conduct. The BSCI Code is to be read and interpreted in combination with them.
Every business enterprise has different Terms of Implementation to adhere to, depending on
their role in the supply chain and on whether or not they are going to be monitored within the
BSCI.
III. Our Values
By endorsing the BSCI Code of Conduct and communicating it to their supply chain, BSCI
Participants are guided by the following values:
Continuous improvement: BSCI Participants undertake to implement the BSCI Code of
Conduct in a step-by-step development approach. BSCI Participants expect
their business partners to ensure the continuous improvement of working conditions
within their organisations.