WRAP certification — process and historical certification levels

WRAP is an independent social compliance certification programme focused mainly on apparel, footwear, sewn products and related industries.

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

Certification involves more than passing an audit. Facilities must actively maintain effective management systems and demonstrate continuing compliance with WRAP’s 12 Principles. WRAP and its monitoring arrangements review evidence and corrective action as part of that process.

WRAP certification process

1. Apply for WRAP certification

The facility submits application information and pays the applicable registration fee. The original flat fee of USD 1,195 is historical; WRAP introduced worker-count-based fees in January 2024. Consult the official fee schedule for the current amount, separately from the monitoring firm’s audit fee.

WRAP application and certification information

2. Pre-audit self-assessment

Pre-audit self-assessment helps facilities prepare documents and review their practices. The original article described a 90-day operating record for new sites and continuous compliance for renewals. Current WRAP guidance describes the PASA form as optional but encouraged; confirm required records and preparation arrangements with the monitoring firm.

3. Select a WRAP-accredited monitoring firm

Choose a monitoring firm currently accredited by WRAP and agree the audit scope and timing. The original article’s six-month completion window and re-registration rule are retained as historical information; verify current application validity and fees with WRAP.

WRAP monitoring-firm directory

4. Audit and review

The monitoring firm audits the facility and submits its findings to WRAP. WRAP reviews the report and any corrective actions, with its independent review process determining certification. Where findings require correction, the facility must address them and provide verification. The old article’s six-month re-registration provision should not be used as an unverified current deadline.

5. Certification

The original article described Platinum, Gold and Silver levels. WRAP changed its scheme: from 1 March 2026, new certificates no longer use Gold/Platinum levels and annual compliance certification applies. Existing Platinum certificates remain valid until their stated expiry. The level descriptions below are historical.

Certified facilities are subject to random, unannounced post-certification assessments during the certification period.

Historical WRAP certification levels

Platinum — historical two-year certificate

The historical Platinum model recognized facilities with full compliance across three consecutive certification audits, no corrective-action requests or observations, and uninterrupted certification. This is not a currently issued two-year certificate category.

Gold — historical one-year certificate

Gold was described as the standard level for facilities fully meeting WRAP’s 12 Principles.

Silver — historical six-month certificate

Under the old scheme, a facility could request Silver where it substantially complied but still had minor policy, procedure or training issues. It could not have red-flag findings involving child labour, serious safety or environmental issues, forced or prison labour, harassment or abuse, and had to demonstrate payment of legal minimum wages and required overtime.

The old article required a written Silver request to WRAP with a corrective-action plan and supporting evidence. It also described the review board recommending Silver where full or sustained compliance remained uncertain.

The historical Silver renewal fee was USD 895 if the facility reapplied before expiry, with no more than three consecutive Silver certificates. These are archived terms, not current offers.

Decertification

Facilities must maintain compliance with WRAP’s 12 Principles throughout certification. Grounds for decertification described in the original article include:

• Zero-tolerance violations.
• Refusing access for a post-certification assessment (PCA).
• Refusing to take part in remediation of PCA findings.
• Failing to correct PCA findings promptly.

Zero-tolerance issues

The original article stated that zero-tolerance findings led to automatic permanent exclusion. WRAP’s current published policy instead describes working with facilities on remediation and reserving suspension or expiry of certification as a last resort if they refuse to cooperate or correct the problem. Always consult the applicable current policy.

Deliberate and ongoing human-rights violations, including:

• Child labour, including its worst forms such as slavery, forced labour, trafficking, serfdom, debt bondage, sexual exploitation, pornography, illicit activity and work harmful to a child’s physical or moral welfare.
• Forced labour, including debt bondage, restrictions on voluntarily leaving employment and compulsory overtime.
• Inhumane treatment, including threats of harm, corporal punishment and mental or physical coercion.
• Unethical attempts to compromise auditors’ integrity or independence.
• Threats of physical harm to the audit team.
• Misrepresentation of certificates or audit reports through alteration, forgery or fraud.
• Misrepresentation of production processes, including concealing production areas or operations from auditors.

WRAP — current certification policies

Historical documents from the original article

These original links are retained for historical reference. Use WRAP’s current forms for applications and audit preparation.

Pre-audit self-assessment — 2019

Factory handbook — 2014

Risk assessment information — 2013

Working Hours Action Plan — 2019

Monitoring firms — original attachment