From 1 March 2026, WRAP stopped issuing new two-year Platinum certificates and removed Gold/Platinum levels from new certificates. New compliance certificates are annual; existing Platinum certificates remain valid until their stated expiry.

WRAP — certification programme update

Thirty frequently asked questions about WRAP. Historical organisational details, courses and programme terms reflect the period indicated; check WRAP’s official sources for current fees and requirements.

WRAP — FAQ

WRAP — current certification programme

General information

What is WRAP?

WRAP is an independent, non-profit organization promoting safe, lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing through facility certification and education. Its programme mainly concerns apparel, footwear, sewn products and related industries, alongside social compliance training.

Is WRAP a government organization?

No. WRAP is independent of governments and has funded its activities through services rather than government support.

Is WRAP an industry association?

No. Although it originated in the apparel and footwear industry, WRAP operates independently with its own governance and funding.

Is WRAP an advocacy group?

WRAP is politically neutral and does not campaign for or against domestic or international legislation or policies.

Where is WRAP located?

WRAP’s headquarters are in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, DC. Its historical office network included Hong Kong and Dhaka, with personnel in India, Thailand and Vietnam. Verify current contacts through WRAP’s official website.

How is WRAP funded?

WRAP’s fee-for-service model supports its independence. Its funding comes from services such as facility registration and training, rather than membership dues, government grants or charitable donations.

Is WRAP a membership organization?

No. WRAP avoids financial, political or membership influence that could compromise independent social compliance certification.

How can people engage with WRAP?

Follow WRAP’s website, social channels and newsletter for responsible sourcing news, programme updates and training dates. WRAP previously did not solicit charitable donations or offer volunteer placements and handled staff recruitment directly; check current opportunities and arrangements on its official website.

How is WRAP governed?

WRAP’s board comprised ten members, with a majority from outside apparel and footwear as required by its governing rules. These are historical governance details; consult WRAP’s current governance information.

Is the programme reviewed regularly?

The programme was reviewed thoroughly every two years, or more often as needed. Check current requirements and changes on WRAP’s official website.

Certification programme

Who can apply for WRAP certification?

Certification applies to individual production facilities, mainly in apparel, footwear, sewn products and related industries. Holding companies, brands and retailers themselves are not eligible.

How does a facility become certified?

The certification process comprised five stages: application and registration fee, self-assessment, selection of a monitoring firm, audit and review, and certification. WRAP’s current certification page groups these activities differently and treats the pre-audit self-assessment form as optional but encouraged. An accredited monitoring firm audits the site; WRAP’s review process determines certification.

How long does certification take?

Timing depends on readiness and the correction of findings. Indicative durations range from as little as six weeks to two to six months, and sometimes longer. These are planning estimates, not an ITVC or WRAP guarantee.

How much does certification cost?

The original USD 1,195 registration fee and USD 895 Silver-renewal fee are historical. WRAP introduced worker-count-based registration fees from January 2024. The audit fee is separate, set by the monitoring firm and paid directly to it. Consult WRAP’s current published schedule and obtain a quotation for the audit.

How can I check whether a factory is certified?

Use WRAP’s current facility directory. Public listing has depended on permission to display a facility. If a site is not shown, seek confirmation directly from WRAP rather than drawing conclusions from the absence of a listing.

Can one certificate cover several facilities?

No. Each production unit must undergo its own certification process.

Can a brand itself be WRAP-certified?

No. WRAP certifies individual production facilities, not brands or retailers.

How can I tell whether clothing came from a WRAP-certified factory?

Certification concerns a factory, not the entire product supply chain. A shirt might be assembled at a certified site while its fabric, buttons or other components come from elsewhere. WRAP did not operate a comprehensive consumer garment-tagging system, while some brands disclosed their sourcing on their websites. Do not infer whole-product certification from a factory certificate; check any logo claims against WRAP’s current rules.

Which buyers accept WRAP certificates?

Historical figures included more than 100 buyers, brands and retailers. Acceptance varies: some buyers use WRAP instead of their own audit, while others require an initial inspection, limit acceptance by country, licensee or monitoring firm, or impose additional conditions. Confirm the particular buyer’s current requirements before commissioning an audit.

Audits and assessments

Who conducts WRAP audits?

WRAP-accredited monitoring firms conduct facility audits. WRAP staff have also conducted occasional assessments. Verify the firm’s current authorisation for the location concerned.

How much does an audit cost?

Monitoring firms set their own audit fees, depending on factors such as factory size and location. WRAP’s registration fee does not include that charge.

How often are facilities audited?

The old FAQ described repeated audits under a valid registration, at least 45 days between successive audits, and six-month Silver, annual Gold and two-year Platinum cycles. These historical intervals and levels are not current instructions. New certification is annual under the 2026 change, while facilities remain subject to random unannounced post-certification assessments. Confirm the current scheduling and follow-up rules with WRAP.

Are audit dates announced to facilities?

Certification audits were conducted within a one-month window without an exact date being announced, alongside random unannounced post-certification assessments. Confirm the applicable audit window with the monitoring firm; do not expect advance notice of a PCA.

What qualifications do auditors need?

Auditors have experience working for accredited monitoring firms and complete WRAP lead-auditor and refresher training. The reference to IRCA recognition is historical; check current qualification and training requirements with WRAP.

Why are audits important?

Audits provide objective evidence and a basis for improvement discussions. They examine whether effective management systems support compliance in everyday operations, rather than treating a single inspection as proof of permanent compliance.

How can someone become a WRAP auditor?

Applicants should be experienced auditors employed by a WRAP-accredited monitoring partner before undertaking the relevant WRAP training. Confirm current entry criteria with WRAP.

Training

What training courses were available?

It listed four subjects: internal auditor training, lead auditor training, fire safety awareness and CTPAT for foreign manufacturers. This is a historical course list; consult the current training programme for availability.

Who can attend training?

Internal auditor, fire safety and CTPAT courses were generally open to applicants, while lead auditor courses were restricted to accredited monitoring partners. Current admission rules depend on the course.

How much does training cost?

Fees vary by course. Consult the applicable training information and quotation.

Who delivers WRAP training?

WRAP’s trainers are staff with experience in social compliance education. WRAP’s own training and ITVC’s consulting or training services are separate; confirm the provider and course scope when registering.