Restrictions on RBA activities in China may affect RBA VAP factory audits and RMAP assessments of smelters and refiners. This article explains how affected factories and brand owners can continue to meet TCO Certified criteria.
Factory social audits
If an RBA VAP (Responsible Business Alliance Validated Assessment Program) audit cannot be completed or renewed, factories may use SA8000 or amfori BSCI, both accepted under TCO Certified. Other audit systems may also be submitted for evaluation if needed.
Factories that need time to change audit systems may apply for a transition period of up to eight months. Applications are assessed individually, and transition periods are not granted automatically.
Using an alternative audit system does not lower the requirements. Identified nonconformities must still be corrected and their closure independently verified. TCO Development will also evaluate any new arrangement that enables equivalent social audits to be conducted in China.
Responsible mineral sourcing
RMI (Responsible Minerals Initiative) has announced that the validity of the most recently completed RMAP (Responsible Minerals Assurance Process) assessments for smelters and refiners in China will be extended until further notice. These facilities will retain their current status on the RMI Public List while RMI evaluates the next steps.
Under the current criteria in TCO Certified, smelters and refiners that remain publicly listed as RMAP Conformant continue to count as conformant. Brand owners therefore do not need to take immediate action solely because an assessment has been extended.
TCO Development will monitor the duration of the extensions and the age of the underlying assessments. If the situation persists, we will review our approach and communicate any changes and appropriate transition arrangements.
Factories and brand owners requiring support should contact their approved verifier or TCO Development as early as possible.
