Audit Companies
The key to the ICTI CARE Process monitoring is the qualification, appointment and training of highly qualified audit companies to carry out the audit process. The ICTI CARE Foundation has already qualified eight audit firms. These firms are approved to perform audits in accordance with the ICTI CARE Process in China, Macau and Hong Kong. They have been involved in a rigorous technical review and approval process. Factories
The main goal of the ICTI CARE Process is to provide a fair, thorough and consistent monitoring program for the factories. The factories in turn are required to pay application fees as well as annual fees to be members of the ICTI CARE Process. These fees are used to cover administrative costs, to fund oversight activity and to develop and maintain the website used to provide information to factories, auditors, consumers and any other interested parties. The factories are also required to abide by the spirit of the ICTI CARE Process. ICTI CARE will assign one of the approved audit firms to carry out the factory audit. The participating factory will be responsible for all costs of performing the audit by the selected audit firm. Audit costs will be market-driven, based on negotiations between ICTI CARE and the audit companies. These are the steps for factory approval by CARE. - Factory Fees:
The factory pays application/registration fees to ICTI CARE Foundation Asia Limited, according to a schedule that can be found on the ICTI CARE Foundation website or by contacting ICTI CARE Asia Limited.
- Getting Started - Factory Application Package:
The heart of the CARE Process is the monitoring checklist and guidance document. These documents are readily available to all factories and auditors via the ICTI Website. There are English, French, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese versions available on the ICTI CARE website. A Thai version is in development.
The factory application package is available via e-mail, regular mail or fax, or on the ICTI website. The application package includes the following documents: In the first quarter of 2007 factories will have the ability to apply on-line through the ICTI CARE website.
- Audit Reports:
The assigned audit firm issues reports following each audit. The reports follow the format outlined in the CARE Guidance document. Reports will be sent to the factory audited and to ICTI CARE Asia Limited. Audit firms are required to uphold the integrity of the documentation process. This includes providing security for records, confidentiality of reports and distribution to authorized parties. The factory, and only the factory, may authorize the audit firm to issue controlled copies of the final audit reports to any other parties, such as current and prospective customers and clients.
- Certificates of Accreditation:
ICTI CARE Asia Limited will issue certificates of accreditation to audit firms and personal identification to their auditors, after the ICTI Executive Committee has approved them. The auditor identification includes a photograph of the auditor. This must be presented by the auditors at the time of audit in order to gain access to factory premises.
- Seals of Compliance:
ICTI CARE Asia Limited will issue seals of compliance to factories that are in compliance with the ICTI Code and are recommended by the chosen audit firms.
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