In March 2003 the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) formally founded the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), for the purpose of developing the tools and procedures for the European Business Social Compliance Programme. The experience and the know-how gained by companies like Lindex, Otto, Migros, Vögele, Inditex and others and the association AVE from their monitoring systems were cornerstones for the development of the management instruments of the BSCI. In the spring of 2004 the development phase was achieved and since then the implementation and broadening of the system is the major task of the parties involved.
The BSCI:
offers a common approach for European commerce
provides standardized Management Tools for all countries
supplies a database: information pool to optimise coordination of the process
is open to retailers, importers and manufacturers
covers all consumer goods
is transparent
involves stakeholders in Europe and supplier countries
