ELEVATE - CSR Program and Service Provider Overview
ELEVATE - CSR Program and Service Provider Overview
Purpose:
• Allow Express to group partners and assign resources to those most critical to our
business
• Tier assignments provide transparency to factories for designation
• Outline minimum standards and requirements for each factory by tier
• Provide roadmap to factories for improvement
Corporate Social Responsibility - Tiers
Platinum
• Factory self-assessments will be required
– Random/periodic audit and document reviews performed at Express’s discretion
– Minimum composite scores required for tier inclusion
• Supplier reporting
– KPI’s submitted to Express
– Quality / compliance integrated
• Focus on collaboration
– Improvement plans completed with supplier, factory and Express engagement
– Supplier Education: Outline curriculum and training based on need/industry updates, etc.
– Root cause analysis
Corporate Social Responsibility - Tiers
Gold
• Audits will focus toward Labor Standards and Supply Chain Security
• Factories audits scheduled based on performance:
– Factories performing well will receive less frequent audits as reward
• Improvement plans
– Plans issued for Express identified areas of improvement
– Supplier managed with Express engagement
– Quality / compliance integrate
• Focus on collaboration
– Supplier Education: Select “high‐potential” factories included in supplier education
Corporate Social Responsibility - Tiers
Silver
• Audits will focus toward Labor Standards and Supply Chain Security
• Improvement plans
– Express will determine if improvement plan should be issued based on risk
Corporate Social Responsibility - Tiers
Bronze
• Factory audits are focused on Code of Conduct conformity.
– Scheduling based on scoring and risk
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ABOUT ELEVATE
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ELEVATE’S PURPOSE
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ELEVATE PROVIDES SOLUTIONS IN 4 VERTICALS
ELEVATE is the leading business risk and sustainability solutions provider. We deliver improved
organizational performance through sustainability and supply chain assessment, consulting,
program management and analytics.
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OUR GLOBAL PRESENCE
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ELEVATE PARTNERSHIP ADDS VALUE
Thought Leadership
ELEVATE is known industry wide for thinking
Integrity and Quality is at our Core
ahead and innovating in ways that are true to Our rigorous quality assurance standards and
our motto “Business Driven Sustainability” auditor training protocols ensure our team are
best in the industry, and posing no risks on
your behalf
100% Focus on Responsible Sourcing
ELEVATE, as a company, is 100% focused on Leading Client Service Metrics
sustainability and supply chain labor, environment Our client service is consistently ranked the
and security practices. We do not offer quality best in the industry: 71% of our clients said
assurance services or testing. We do offer they liked our service better than other service
improvement services including in-factory providers (with an additional 26% saying we
consulting, training, eLearning etc. were on par). Over 90% would recommend our
services to a colleague or company
Strong Reputation
ELEVATE has a strong reputation amongst Unique Analytics and Trending
global retailers and brands for innovation, Our structured SQL database and Tableau
integrity, flexibility, service and quality platform support live analytics on program
execution effectiveness and benchmarking
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SOURCING & LABOR STANDARDS
Audit
Provider Elevate is the new Social Audit provider for EXPRESS
Scope
Social + Security Audits: conducted through ELEVATE
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SOURCING & LABOR STANDARDS
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SOURCING & LABOR STANDARDS
SUPPLIER ONBOARDING:
THE PROCESS TO ONBOARD NEW SUPPLIERS WILL
REMAIN THE SAME AS IN PAST.
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RIZEPOINT:
All Supplier and Factory activities will be housed and
managed in a web base system called Rizepoint.
https://express.rizepoint.com
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SUPPLIER – LOGGING INTO RIZEPOINT
EXPRESS-Rizepoint Homepage –
• This homepage will be a “One-Stop-Shop” for instructions, task overview as well as task due dates. In addition, access to the
most recent audits performed on factories will be available.
• Guides or Instructions are provided under the “Welcome – Suppliers!” message.
• Login details will be sent to all existing and new suppliers by Rizepoint in the coming days.
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FACTORY ONBOARDING VIA RIZEPOINT
Task 1:
Update
-This slide is an example of a
information couple of the tasks that will be
managed and completed in
Rizepoint by Suppliers.
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REQUESTING AN AUDIT VIA RIZEPOINT
New Suppliers:
Once a Supplier is approved by EXPRESS, their profile will be
created in Rizepoint and this will be followed by an email from
Rizepoint with next steps.
New Suppliers are responsible for:
1. Entering new Locations (Factory details) in
Rizepoint
2. Ensuring that existing Locations are always up to
date
3. Requesting Initial Audits
4. Managing CAPs
Existing Suppliers:
Existing Suppliers are being added in Rizepoint is this
transitional period. Already onboarded/approved Suppliers are
responsible for:
1. Entering new Locations (Factory details) in
Rizepoint
2. Ensuring that existing Locations are always up to
date
3. Requesting Initial Audits
4. Managing CAPs
Remarks:
Cycle and Follow-up audits will be requested by
EXPRESS.
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SUPPLIER WORKFLOW IN RIZEPOINT
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AUDIT COORDINATION/SCHEDULING:
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STEPS TO COMPLETE THE AUDITS
ELEVATE SCHEDULING:
During the scheduling process, ELEVATE will provide the Supplier and Factory with the Audit
Notification, including the audit window. ELEVATE will also provide guidance as to how to best
prepare for the audit, including Document Checklist, ELEVATE Code of Ethics (gift, integrity policy),
Facility Profile to confirm address, number of workers, production activities, etc. This is also an
opportunity for the factory to address any blackout date, etc. in order to avoid any ‘access deny’.
The EXPRESS COC and the ELEVATE ERSA Guide will also be provided.
Both the Factory and the Supplier will be included on this e-mail. It is EXPRESS expectation that
Supplier will support ELEVATE during the coordination/ scheduling process to get the audits
executed timely.
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STEPS TO COMPLETE THE AUDITS
SAMPLE AUDIT NOTIFICATION E-MAIL:
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ELEVATE AUDITS
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SOURCING & LABOR STANDARDS
The core of the EXPRESS SOURCING & LABOR STANDARDS Program remains their Code of Conduct. Any
measure [i.e. Legal] against the Code of Conduct, the higher standard takes precedence. More details on
the EXPRESS Sourcing and Labor Standards Program can be accessed via EXPRESS website:
https://www.express.com/g/sourcing-and-labor-standards
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ELEVATE RESPONSIBLE SOURCING ASSESSMENT
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ELEVATE RESPONSIBLE SOURCING ASSESSMENT (“ERSA”)
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ERSA – KEY FEATURES
• Factory Profile
• Supplemental Data Sheet
• Audit Report
• Photo Form(s)
• Corrective Action Plan
• Checklist
• Grading / Red-Flags
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THE ERSA REPORT SUPPORTS BENCHMARKING FOR FACTORIES
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ELEVATE AUDITS
ELEVATE Responsible Sourcing Standard (ERSA):
The Audit Tool which will be used to measure against the EXPRESS Code will be the ERSA
standards which are designed to cater to specific conditions and hazards concerning different
types of facilities in a wide variety of industries. It is intended to promote continuous improvement
and to highlight performance and proactive management of social compliance.
Legal Requirements: in addition to the EXPRESS Code and ERSA, local labor laws are also
considered. The requirement, which affords the highest level of protection, is applied.
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ELEVATE RESPONSIBLE SOURCING ASSESSMENT
Non-Discrimination
During the Audit Coordination/Scheduling process,
Freedom of Association & Grievance Mechanisms both the Supplier and factory will be provided with
a full copy of ERSA Provisions and indicators.
Foreign Migrant Labour
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ELEVATE AUDITS
ERSA:
Here is an example of the Force Labor Provisions with additional indicators:
5. Forced Labour: Prison, indentured, bonded, involuntary, slave labor, or labor obtained through human
trafficking shall not be used.
5.1 The facility has a written policy prohibiting forced, bonded, indentured, and prison labour; this policy is
communicated to all employees.
5.2 The facility does not use any type of involuntary labour who are trafficked, prisoned (not in compliance
with ILO Convention 29), bonded, or indentured, either at the facility itself, or a broker.
5.3 The employees have the right to enter into and to terminate their employment freely without being
penalized financially, the threat of physical or mental coercion or facing unlawful notice periods.
5.4 Employees shall not be obligated or forced to work by a family member, associate or friend for any reason.
5.5 Employees retain possession or control of all original identity documents, such as passports, identity
papers, travel documents, and other personal legal documents. (Exception: Documents stored for safekeeping
with explicit consent from employee and the facility has a system allowing the employee to retrieve their
documents at any time without restrictions.) –
Etc…
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ELEVATE AUDITS
C-TPAT:
Security Criteria for C-TPAT Foreign Manufacturers: the ELEVATE Security Assessment covers the minimum
security criteria which are fundamentally designed to be the building blocks for foreign manufacturers to
institute effective security practices designed to optimize supply chain performance to mitigate the risk of
loss, theft, and contraband smuggling that could potentially introduce terrorists and implements of terrorism
into the global supply chain. The assessment is comprehensive and will cover areas such as Business Partner
Requirements, Container and Trailer Security, Physical Access Controls, Personnel Security, Procedural
Security, Physical Security, Information Technology Security, Security Training and Threat Awareness.
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PROCESS REVIEW: COORDINATION,
REPORT APPROVAL, CAM
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PROCESS REVIEW
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ELEVATE AUDIT
• Elevate Onsite Audit
• Opening Meeting: The opening meeting with management is an extremely important part of the process because
it sets the tone for the entire audit. A well-executed opening meeting can have a critical impact on the flow and
duration of the audit. Specifically, during the opening meeting, ELEVATE staff will:
• Show respect and courtesy to management
• Introduce each member of the Audit team
• Establish appropriate communication channels
• Review the scope and goals of the visit
• Provide management with a specific list of records that will be needed for review
• Request a site floor plan
• Discuss the audit team’s role as an objective verifier only
• Present and discuss EXPRESS’s COC as well as an overview of ERSA + Security if applicable
• Interview site management about operational processes
• Present the ELEVATE Code of Ethics to be signed by both ELEVATE and Factory reps.
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ELEVATE AUDIT
• Elevate Onsite Audit
• Facility Tour: In determining compliance, information gathered through visual observation is critical.
For this reason, ELEVATE staff are trained to do a detailed and in-depth observation/review of the
workplace health, safety and environmental conditions, with a focus on how those conditions impact
workers. If something doesn’t seem right, a more detailed analysis will be undertaken, which might
include additional document reviews and/or worker interviews.
• Worker Interviews: Confidential interviews with workers are fundamental to the success of the audit
because they provide the purest source of information about how working conditions impact worker
well-being. Specifically, ELEVATE staff are expected to crosscheck information gathered from other
sources, detect potential areas of concern, and to assess the awareness level of the workers during
each interview. ELEVATE role during the audit is not to educate, debate, or argue with workers for any
reason; rather the focus remains on objectivity.
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ELEVATE AUDIT
• Elevate Onsite Audit
• Document & Records Review: Document and record review is undertaken for a number of reasons,
including gathering information regarding wages and benefits, hours of work, company policies,
discrimination, health & safety, child labor, and other areas. Prior to reviewing records, ELEVATE staff must
first familiarize themselves with the procedures and systems of the site. As well as checking the content of
the documents and records, it is also important to assess how these are controlled to ensure ongoing
compliance.
• Data Analysis and Cross Checking: ELEVATE strives to be objective and make sound, unbiased judgments
concerning compliance during all audits. One of the most important parts of this is the cross checking of
information gathered during each part of the audit. Without systematically comparing and crosschecking
information gained from worker interviews, management, document & record review, and visual
observation, important findings will be missed. Thus, ELEVATE staff are specifically trained to authenticate
documentation provided throughout the audit process. In some cases, record falsification by sites
underscores the importance of this element of the audit and it is critically important that factories remain
transparent and collaborate so that ELEVATE may fully understand any challenges and communicate to
EXPRESS in a clear and concise manner so that they may further define the best continuous improvement
path.
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ELEVATE AUDIT
• Elevate Onsite Audit
• Closing Meeting: Once the audit is complete, a closing meeting will be held with site management.
During this meeting, management will be provided a final opportunity to clarify site policies and
practices as they relate to each non-compliance issue. This is of particular importance when
inconsistent and/or unclear data has been collected. Generally, the closing meeting includes:
• Acknowledgement of site management cooperation
• Restatement of the purpose of the audit
• Presentation and review of a draft list of each non-conformity.
• Discussion of recommended corrective action steps
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RIZEPOINT REPORTING
• Elevate Reporting
• Supplier will get the Audit Result in 7
business days through Rizepoint.
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CAP MANAGEMENT
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RIZEPOINT REPORTING
• CAP Management
• Suppliers will receive an auto e-mail from Rizepoint with next steps on how to manage the CAP in Rizepoint.
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CAP MANAGEMENT
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CAP DEVELOPMENT GUIDANCE
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CAP DEVELOPMENT GUIDANCE
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CAP DEVELOPMENT GUIDANCE
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RIZEPOINT REPORTING
• CAP Management
• Once the Suppliers log back into Rizepoint, they are able to manage CAPs on the Actions Plans tab.
• Detail instructions on how to manage CAP will be provided during the CAP process.
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ENVIRONMENT SERVICES OVERVIEW
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Introduction to ELEVATE’s Environment Service
ELEVATE environment lessons: (also Environment assessments
topics in Higg Environment Modules 2.0)
Experience in both social and environment assessments
Environment Management Systems Increasing demand on standalone environment assessments
Energy Use & GHG Emissions Initiative-focused programs (e.g. water sustainability, chemical management, etc.)
Water Use
Wastewater/ Effluent
Air Emissions
Waste Management
Chemicals Training and capacity building support for organizations, brands, and suppliers
Comprehensive eLearning library on environment lessons
Topic specific webinar trainings
In-person trainings by ELEVATE field experts
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Higg Verification Background
We have been a part of the Higg verification effort since its pilot launch
in summer of 2015.
SAC has hosted two rounds of Higg verification training in 2015, both of
which ELEVATE has sent staff to train as verifiers and trainers.
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Higg Facility Environment Module (FEM) Structure
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Higg Verification Process
Self
Follow up visit
assessment Verification Verification Performance
Site visit or desktop
questionnair Request preparation Plan follow up
review
e
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6
(+1 to 2 weeks) (+2 to 4 weeks) (+2 to 4 weeks) (+60 days) (+75 days)
Facilities to fill their Facility to share with Site visit Opening meeting Verifier to follow up by Verifier to collect
FEM Self- EVT their Self- preparation: Documentation review email and/or phone to evidences of
Assessment Assessment Discussion with personnel make sure the facility implementation of the
Questionnaire on Questionnaire so Scheduling Site observation is working on the actions
Higg.org verifiers can better (announced or semi Review of the performance implementation of the
prepare for onsite announced Preparation of first draft of action plan and check Site visit or desktop
verification recommended by performance plan if there are any review to validate the
SAC) Closing meeting questions or blocking criteria
points.
EVT to send Facility Preparation of the verification Update of the report by
document checklist report by the verifier. the verifier
for verification
preparation Verified report is posted by the Facility to update its FEM
manufacturer and they will change on Higg.org, upload the
Facility to prepare the status from self assessment to final verification report
the documentation onsite / off-site verified. and change the status
for review from self assessment to
onsite verified
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TEAMWORK THAT DRIVES IMPACT
The ELEVATE Leadership Team Looks Forward to Working with EXPRESS Suppliers!
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Shenzhen
Room CDEF, 8/F International Trade Commercial
Building, No 3005 Nanhu Road, Luohu, Shenzhen 518000, China
达岸咨询(深圳)有限公司ELEVATE (SHENZHEN) Limited
中国深圳市罗湖区南湖路3005号国贸商业大厦8楼CDEF室
Tel: +86 755-8214-4529
Fax: +86 755-8214-4530
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Dhaka
DOM-INNO House, 6th Floor, House # 13
Road # 07, Block – F, Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tel: +8802 55042310-11, +88019 38886939
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Ho Chi Minh City
Room 1901, 19th Floor, 37 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe Ward,
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 (08) 22216684
Fax: +84 (08) 22202201
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