BUSINESS STANDARDS
is the quarterly magazine of BSI Group, highlighting the vital role that standards play in today's business environment. Regular features include interviews with leading business figures, as well as news on the latest developments in management systems and standards.
Primark's ethical auditing agenda
02 Jun 2009
Topics: Ethical trading, fashion, Supply chain, Entropy Software
Primark, one of Europe's largest clothing retailers, has selected BSI's Entropy Software™, the web-based supply chain audit, compliance and performance management system, as part of its ethical trade strategy.
Primark, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods, is a major European brand operating out of 187 stores in the UK, Holland, Spain and Ireland (where it trades as Penneys). It employs in excess of 27,500 people and has hundreds of independent suppliers based mainly in China and South Asia. To improve standards in the factories that supply the company, Primark published a mandatory supplier code of conduct and joined the Ethical Trade Initiative in 2006.
The Entropy Software™ system is a key part of this strategy. It allows all supplier audits, non-conformances and remedial actions to be managed through a single, web-based platform, with global visibility and management control. This will help make the management of Primark's extensive independent auditing programme more efficient.
"This is a demonstration of Primark's commitment to having the best available solutions to help manage its supply chain, and to improve working conditions while maintaining competitive edge and quality in a fast-moving fashion environment," says Ray Ellis, a business systems analyst with Associated British Foods.
The Entropy Software™ solution also helps companies to address risk, compliance and performance management in areas of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, environmental health & safety, quality, and supply chain compliance management.
"In recent years competitive pressures and globalization have led many high street retailers to rely on an ever-extending global supply chain," says Rob Wallis, managing director of BSI EMEA. "As a result, many big-brand companies have recognized the need to take responsibility for the ethical performance of their supply chain. Entropy Software™ can help to implement and manage controls that assist each supply chain to adhere to their compliance objectives, and ensure that risks associated with the supply chain are cost-effectively managed."
For more information, visit www.bsigroup.co.uk/entropy
Business Standards © 2007. Editorial produced by Caspian Publishing in association with the British Standards Institution. Editorial opinions expressed on are not necessarily those of BSI Group or Caspian Publishing. Neither Caspian Publishing nor BSI Group accept responsibility for advertising or editorial content, nor for that appearing on linked third-party websites. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without written permission from BSI Group or Caspian Publishing.
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