ICTI certification audits

IETP certification

ICTI Ethical Toy Program (IETP) certification focuses on social compliance issues in manufacturing. Originally designed for the needs of the global toy industry, it is now implemented across a range of sectors, with all programmes applicable to any industry. ICTI's ethical audit checklist is regularly reviewed to meet the evolving needs of factories, brands and retailers, reflect regulatory changes and incorporate best practices.

The programme covers all types of goods and products from any sector or industry. ICTI certification is a leading industry-wide standard trusted by international buyers; in the toy sector, for example, more than two-thirds of the world's toys are manufactured in Ethical Toy Program certified factories.

IETP certification plays an important role in reducing duplicate audits by providing a single ethical and responsible sourcing standard required and accepted by brands and retailers worldwide. 

Becoming IETP certified also helps drive improvements in manufacturing businesses and increase competitiveness by reducing worker turnover, increasing worker satisfaction and creating a more productive workplace.

The certification process

IETP certification was originally designed to meet the needs of the global toy industry and has since been adopted by a variety of sectors and industries.

Certification is a straightforward five-step process.

ICTI's approach to factory (supplier) monitoring 

All factories in the IETP certification programme undergo at least one audit and one visit each year by IETP's Programme Monitoring team or one of ICTI's accredited third-party audit firms. ICTI certification is primarily based on unannounced factory social audits. See “Types of audits and visits” below for details of each type of IETP audit and visit.

Every IETP audit report is reviewed by ICTI's Programme Monitoring and Development team, which determines the final outcome. This outcome is based on a review of the non-compliances identified by auditors and takes into account any comments or feedback provided by factory management in the Corrective Action Plan.

Accredited audit firms:

Accredited auditors and Progress Visit Specialists (Accredited Auditors and Progress Visit Specialists):

• IETP audits may only be conducted by accredited auditors from accredited audit firms or authorized IETP personnel.
• IETP Progress Visits (PVs) may be conducted by PV Specialists from accredited audit firms, authorized IETP personnel or other specialist organizations.

Types of audits and visits

The IETP certification programme includes the following core audits and visits for factories:

Initial Certification Audit (ICA) or Initial Annual Audit (IAA)
An ICA applies to first-time applicants, while an IAA applies to renewing applicants.

From 1 April 2022, factories can indicate their preference for an announced or unannounced ICA or IAA in their application. Although a factory may select an announced audit, IETP reserves the final decision on the type of audit conducted. That decision takes account of various factors, including, but not limited to, the factory's previous audit transparency performance.

Announced ICAs and IAAs are scheduled, while unannounced ICAs and IAAs take place within one month of completion of the application process.

Progress Visit (PV): An announced visit for all certified factories to review and discuss progress in maintaining IETP social compliance standards. It takes place within two to four months of certification, and factories can plan for it in advance.

Onsite Engagement Visit (OE): All factories in the Remediation Programme receive an announced visit one to two months into the programme cycle.

Follow-up Audit (FU): An unannounced audit that applies only when critical non-compliances have been identified during an audit.

Surveillance Audit (SA): Factories in the Probation Programme and the 12-month Remediation Programme must undergo unannounced surveillance audits.

Quality Control Audit (QCA): This full, unannounced audit may be conducted at any factory when IETP considers it necessary.

Transparency Re-audit (RA): This unannounced audit applies when transparency issues have been identified. It is offered to factories that demonstrate transparency during the 20-working-day Factory Response Period. Twelve months of records are required.

Reinstatement Audit (RelA): The final unannounced audit conducted for factories in the Remediation Programme.

Desktop Review (DR): This tool is used to track and monitor progress on corrective actions for minor compliance issues.

Audit integrity

Honesty, integrity and trust are at the heart of the ICTI Ethical Toy Program.

All ICTI staff, appointed third-party auditors and Progress Visit Specialists must comply with the laws and regulations of their jurisdictions and maintain high standards of professional ethics in their work. 

ICTI takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption.

ICTI's dedicated Integrity team is responsible for implementing its integrity policy within and across all IETP programmes.