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Responsible Supply Chain Initiative (RSCI)

Assesses the social compliance performance along the automotive supply chain

Assesses the social compliance performance along the automotive supply chain

WHAT IS RSCI?

The RSCI stands for Responsible Supply Chain Initiative. The RSCI consists of a group of companies and associations within the automotive sector that have decided to join forces for a more sustainable automotive supply chain. To this end, the RSCI will provide tools, measures and general support to its members to fulfil this goal. At the core, the RSCI established a protocol and exchange mechanism for a standardized sustainability assessment of production sites – the RSCI assessment.

 

HOW IS RSCI CONNECTED TO VDA AND RBA?

The groundwork of the RSCI was laid out in February of 2021 by a designated group within the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), that ever since has been in exploratory discussions with automotive stakeholders at EU level regarding the intended assessment standard. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) founds then the RSCI programme.

The programme is supported via the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), the world's largest industry coalition supporting the rights and welfare of workers and communities worldwide involved in the global supply chain. After several exploratory discussions with automotive stakeholders at the European level about the RSCI, VDA officially launched the Initiative on at the end of October 2021.

 

WHY IS RSCI IMPORTANT?

The RSCI framework allows companies to demonstrate their full transparency to external parties about the working conditions, safety, and remuneration - which is why corresponding audits are carried out directly at the production site. By doing this, RSCI also supports suppliers by fulfilling requirements from customers, regulators and legislators. Moreover, RSCI enables companies to avoid multiple assessments by mutual recognition, as the goal is to allow auditee sharing assessment results on a web-based platform for different customers. Finally, RSCI helps firms to gain a competitive advantage by improved working conditions, leading to a highly motivated workforce and higher quality products.

 

TÜV SÜD OFFERS RSCI ASSESSMENTS

TÜV SÜD is authorised by RBA and RSCI to conduct RSCI assessments with a number of qualified auditors. The RSCI Assessment evaluates the conformity of an assessed location with regards to social as well as occupational safety and environmental protection aspects listed in the RSCI operative manual.

RSCI requirements:

  • General Management
  • Child Labour and Young Employees
  • Freely Chosen Labour
  • Employee Rights
  • Employee Participation
  • Working hours and payment
  • Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Chemicals and Hazardous Substances
  • Environment
  • Supply Chain Management

 

A RSCI assessment can be requested through the provided link on the RSCI Website

After an on-site assessment, the report will be uploaded to the RSCI-Online platform and may be shared with the relevant clients. After passing the assessment and depending on the result of the assessment a full or interim label will be issued. Auditees will be able to schedule a follow-up assessment after nine months through the RSCI-Online platform to improve their performance.

To know more about the RSCI assessment, please read the RSCI Flyer that helps to build responsible supply chain for the automotive industry.

RSCI - Responsible Supply Chain Initiative e.V. | VDA

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