SLCP (Social & Labor Convergence Program) is an independent, multi-stakeholder program working toward decent working conditions in global supply chains. Rather than issuing certificates, SLCP provides a shared, verified dataset of a factory’s social and labor conditions that the facility can reuse with multiple business partners. This article explains what SLCP is, how its Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) works, and why factories and brands adopt it.
What Is SLCP? Definition and Mission
SLCP stands for the Social & Labor Convergence Program. It is an independent, multi-stakeholder initiative that developed the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) — a set of tools plus a data hosting and sharing process for assessing working conditions in factories. SLCP’s stated mission is “decent working conditions in global supply chains.”
SLCP is governed by Stichting SLCP, a foundation (stichting) registered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Day-to-day management of SLCP verifications is handled by the Verification Oversight Organization (VOO), which qualifies and oversees Verifier Bodies (VBs) and Verifiers, runs quality assurance, and manages complaints and dispute resolution.
Is SLCP a Certification?
No. This is the most common point of confusion, so it is worth stating clearly: SLCP is not a certification, not a scoring system, and not a Code of Conduct.
The CAF is explicitly “standard neutral.” According to SLCP’s own Verification Protocol, the framework does not act as a scoring or ranking system, a certification program, or a Code of Conduct. SLCP verification does not determine compliance with any certification standard.
Instead, SLCP produces a verified assessment — a neutral dataset of social and labor facts about a facility. Because it is standard-neutral, the same dataset can feed into many different compliance and certification programs. There is no pass/fail result and no grade.
What Is the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF)?
The CAF is the methodology SLCP developed. It consists of three elements:
- Data Collection Tool — the questionnaire facilities complete (with a mandatory Worker Engagement Question Set for Full Virtual Verification).
- Verification Protocol — the rules and process requirements for conducting verification, written for facilities, Verifier Bodies, and Verifiers.
- Guidance — supporting guidance for facilities and Verifiers.
The SLCP process is completed on an Accredited Host platform — a third-party technology provider approved by SLCP. Facilities choose which Active Accredited Host they use; the platform supports data entry, storage, and analytics. The SLCP assessment starts with a self- or joint-assessment by the facility, which is then verified by external parties.
What Does the SLCP Assessment Cover? (7 CAF Sections)
The Data Collection Tool is organized into seven sections. Together they capture the social and labor conditions of a facility without scoring or ranking them:
| # | CAF Section | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Factory Profile | Basic facility identity and structural information |
| 2 | Recruitment / Hiring & Termination | Hiring practices, recruitment fees, and offboarding |
| 3 | Working Hours | Regular and overtime hours, rest days |
| 4 | Wages & Benefits | Wages, deductions, and statutory benefits |
| 5 | Worker Treatment & Involvement | Treatment, discrimination, and worker voice |
| 6 | Health & Safety | Workplace safety and health management |
| 7 | Management Systems | Policies, training, and continuous improvement |
How the SLCP Process Works (3 Steps)
Step 1: Data Collection
The facility completes a self-assessment, or contracts outside help to complete a joint-assessment, using the Data Collection Tool on an Accredited Host platform.
Step 2: Verification
An approved Verifier Body (VB) and Verifier — qualified and overseen by the VOO — verify the data, typically through onsite or virtual methods. The result is a verified assessment.
Step 3: Sharing via the ITC Gateway
Verified assessments are stored in the ITC Gateway, the central repository hosted on a UN server. With the facility’s permission, the verified dataset can be shared with brands, standard holders, and manufacturers.
Who Uses SLCP and Why
SLCP serves brands, standard holders, and manufacturers across global supply chains. Its main advantage is efficiency: because the CAF is standard-neutral and the dataset is reusable, a facility can complete one verified assessment and share it with multiple business partners instead of undergoing many separate social audits. This reduces duplication and the audit burden on factories, while giving buyers comparable, verified data.
SLCP vs Traditional Social Audits
Traditional social audits often use different question sets, scoring models, and Codes of Conduct, forcing suppliers to repeat similar audits for different customers. SLCP replaces that fragmentation with one converged tool and a neutral, verified dataset. SLCP does not replace a buyer’s own Code of Conduct or certification requirements — it supplies the underlying data those programs can use.
FAQ: What is SLCP? Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions about the Social & Labor Convergence Program. These questions are optimized to capture “People Also Ask” sections in Google search results.
Q: What does SLCP stand for?
A: SLCP stands for the Social & Labor Convergence Program. It is an independent, multi-stakeholder program focused on decent working conditions in global supply chains.
Q: Is SLCP a certification or an audit?
A: Neither. SLCP is not a certification, a scoring system, or a Code of Conduct. It produces a verified assessment — a neutral dataset of social and labor facts. There is no certificate, no pass/fail result, and no grade.
Q: Who runs SLCP?
A: SLCP is governed by Stichting SLCP, a foundation registered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Verification Oversight Organization (VOO) manages the day-to-day oversight of verifications, including qualifying Verifier Bodies and Verifiers.
Q: What is the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF)?
A: The CAF is the methodology SLCP developed. It has three elements: the Data Collection Tool, the Verification Protocol, and Guidance for facilities and Verifiers.
Q: What are the seven CAF sections?
A: The assessment covers seven sections: Factory Profile; Recruitment / Hiring & Termination; Working Hours; Wages & Benefits; Worker Treatment & Involvement; Health & Safety; and Management Systems.
Q: How does the SLCP process work?
A: The process has three steps: (1) the facility completes a self- or joint-assessment using the Data Collection Tool; (2) an approved Verifier Body verifies the data; (3) the verified assessment is stored in the ITC Gateway and shared with business partners at the facility’s permission.
Q: What is the ITC Gateway?
A: The ITC Gateway is SLCP’s central repository of verified assessments, hosted on a UN server. Registered facilities can access and download their own verified assessments at any time, and share them with permitted users.
Q: Who can see my SLCP assessment data?
A: With the facility’s permission, a verified assessment can be shared with brands, standard holders, and manufacturers through the ITC Gateway or an Accredited Host. The facility controls sharing and can see the status of its assessment at all times.
Conclusion
SLCP is a practical answer to audit fatigue in global supply chains. By replacing fragmented social audits with one converged, standard-neutral, and verified dataset, it saves factories time and gives brands comparable data they can trust. If your customers ask for SLCP, the first step is to register on an Accredited Host platform and complete your self-assessment.
Need help getting started with SLCP data collection or verification? Contact our team for a free consultation and we will guide you through the process.
References
- Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP). Verification Protocol, Version 1.7 (10 April 2026).
- SLCP Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) — Data Collection Tool, Verification Protocol, and Guidance.
- SLCP Helpdesk: https://slcp.zendesk.com/ (official facility guidance).
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