Ethical audits and assessments
To date, Africa Now has carried out ethical audits in 11 African countries for a number of different clients in the following sectors: horticulture, floriculture, tea, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, textiles and carpets.
Africa Now has established a network of associate ethical auditors across the continent to help meet with a growing demand from companies for ethically produced goods. Africa Now possesses a unique and powerful set of attributes combining professionalism with grassroots knowledge, relevance and accuracy, objectivity with intimacy, locally appropriate techniques and international standards.
Our Methodology
Our reputation within EBS has arisen from the thoroughness in which we undertake the audits, the methodology we use and the balanced feedback we provide to management and buyers.
Our methodology is based upon a combination of participatory social auditing (PSA) methodology and international development practice which encourages workers to take a more active part in the audit. Workers can freely explain the true nature of their working conditions, without the need for high levels of literacy, nor fears of reprisals from management. PSA allows auditors to focus on specific issues, such as exploring gender or discrimination issues. Associate auditors also carry out interviews off site to gain a more accurate picture of working practices in a neutral environment.
The audits involve meetings with management and workers, a transect walk of the facility and health and safety inspection, review of records and provision of feedback. This includes positive points and identification of best practices, and also a corrective action plan, where the steps needed to be taken by management are detailed with a target date for completion.
Raising awareness
When needed, a programme of awareness can be carried out prior to an audit. This involves a visit to the farm or factory to be audited and a series of awareness raising activities with both workers and management. This helps both workers and management alike to fully understand the purpose of the forthcoming audit, and to familiarise them with the Code of Practice against which the audit will be carried.
In addition, this awareness day can be used to obtain a detailed profile of the facility which will be needed prior to any audit. the day can also be used to encourage the management to conduct a pre-audit inspection.
Training local auditors across Africa
Africa Now is developing a network of fully trained associate auditors across the continent who undertake audits as part of a team led by a lead auditor from Africa Now. This enables us to ensure that the thoroughness and participatory methodology of our audits is maintained. It also allows us to build on local knowledge and understanding, and keep costs to a minimum. Our local associates understand the local language, context and customs, can interpret national law, and know who to turn to for clarification when needed. Africa Now actively seeks links and contacts with local labour organisations and trade unions to draw on their expertise and increase their involvement in monitoring and improving working conditions.
Once there is sufficient business demand in a country, Africa Now recruit and train associates, and expose them as shadow auditors before they become a full part of the audit team. During this process they observe the process and act as translators where needed. Once the capacity of the local team is developed, an Africa Now staff member will travel as a lead auditor and two of the qualified local associate auditors will be called upon to take part in the audit.
Clients include: Sears, Jones New York, Marks & Spencer, Flamingo Holdings, Cadbury Schweppes and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).