Sustainability Matters: ICS Environmental Audits

Increasing environmental pressure from governments and associations, and a more pronounced consumer preference for eco-friendly products, are making more and more companies aware of the need to speed up their sustainability journey.

68% of consumers rate sustainability as important
Source: CGS’s 2019 Retail and Sustainability Survey

To help them in this way, ICS – Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability – brings to its members a set of common tools to mutualize their audits, contributing to the reduction of audit fatigue and sharing knowledge and best practices.

ICS is an international sectorial initiative that aims to enhance working conditions among the global supply chains of its member retailers and brands. ICS is composed of 48 multinational retailers and brands in the textile, retail, footwear, electronics, and furniture sectors.*

API is accredited to perform ICS social and environmental audits to help ensure that suppliers and their supply chains are aligned with the ICS Environmental Code of Conduct. The main areas covered include:

Environmental management systems (EMS)
Energy use, transport, and greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Water use
Wastewater and wastewater effluent
Emissions to air and ozone-depleting substances (ODS)
Waste management
Pollution prevention, and hazardous and potentially hazardous substances
Major incident prevention and management

A dedicated environmental team with hands-on experience

Experienced with ICS environmental methodology
Knowledge of supply chain environmental sustainability
Led by the head of sustainability with a doctorate in sustainability (PhD) and more than 10 years’ experience
Bilingual with a clear understanding of specific local challenges and global expectations

Daily assessments in factories worldwide