Consultation on proposed updates to the Ethical Toy Program

The Ethical Toy Program, formerly ICTI CARE, is excited to announce two proposed updates to the Ethical Toy ProgramThese updates include an enhanced, graded audit checklist, the standard against which all factories are certified, and the introduction of a new factory rating system for ICTI Ethical Toy Program Certification.Proposed Updates:1. An enhanced, graded version of the ICTI Ethical Toy Program Audit Checklist2. A new factory rating system to replace ICTI Ethical Toy Program's existing Factory Seal ClassificationsTogether, these updates provide a more sophisticated assessment of factory performance, helping to ensure that the Ethical Toy Program remains relevant and continues to meet the evolving needs of all stakeholders that use it.Stakeholder input is a crucial part of program development at Ethical Toy Program, and we invite all interested parties to review the proposed updates and share any feedback.Full details on the proposed updates are available below.Closed consultationConsultation on proposed updates to the Ethical Toy ProgramWe are analyzing your feedbackVisit this page again soon to view the outcome to this public feedback.Original consultation:This consultation ran from 21st of September 2017 until the 20th of November 2017.*The consultation has been extended to 20 November 2017Consultation descriptionWe are seeking views on two proposals to enhance the ICTI CARE ProgramProposed updates:Adding risk criticality grades to the ICTI CARE Audit ChecklistA new Star Rating System for ICTI CARE CertificationConsultation on these proposed updates runs from mid-September 2017 until 20th November 2017. Consultation workshops, webinars, along with Q&A sessions, will be held throughout the consultation period to help you better understand the proposed updates. Full details of the proposed updates, along with instructions on how you can share your feedback, are provided in the consultation pack here. Please also see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below for further information on the proposed updates. Why is ICTI CARE proposing these updates? Expectations from factories, brands, licensors, and retailers have evolved. Factories want a certification which represents their performance across all social compliance areas. Brands, licensors, and retailers want a certification which enables them to make more informed sourcing decisions.Through grading the Audit Checklist and assigning all factories a Star Rating, we are able to provide a more sophisticated assessment of factory performance, helping to ensure that the ICTI CARE program remains relevant and continues to meet the evolving needs of all stakeholders that use the program.What is the Graded Audit Checklist?The ICTI CARE Audit Checklist forms the backbone of our program, setting out the specific requirements against which we certify factories. The new, graded version of the ICTI CARE Audit Checklist introduces new risk criticality grades to each non-compliance area.Each Audit Checkpoint is graded into one of the following four risk categories: Zero Tolerance, Critical, Major or Minor non-compliance. Guidance text describing the criteria that determine the risk level assigned is also included in the new Audit Checklist.The Graded Audit Checklist evolves the ICTI CARE Program from a pass/fail approach to provide new risk-rated assessments. These assessments will help factories and brands understand the severity of issues found during an audit. Read more about the Graded Audit Checklist. What are the Star Ratings?The Star Ratings are a proposed system for assessing factories in the ICTI CARE program. The Star Ratings show how ICTI CARE Certified factories perform across all areas covered in the new Graded Audit Checklist.The Star Ratings will replace the existing ICTI CARE Seal Classifications (A60, A, B & C) which are determined solely by hours worked at factories.This Star Ratings enable factories to differentiate themselves based on a larger set of indicators, whilst recognizing consistent performance over time. Read more about the Star Ratings. How do the Star Ratings work?The Star Ratings reflect levels of compliance with the ICTI CARE Graded Audit Checklist, whilst also recognizing consistent good performance over time. Under the new Star Rating system, ICTI CARE Certificates will be assigned to factories as follows: 1 or 2 Star factories are working towards full compliance. 1 and 2 Star certified factories have outstanding issues and are expected to show progress over time.3 Star factories have achieved full compliance. A 3 Star certified factory has no outstanding non-compliance issues, this is equivalent to our existing seal classification system.4 and 5 Star factories show good performance over time. 4 and 5 Star certified factories have also addressed all outstanding non-compliances, and have no repeat non-compliances over time. Factories can achieve 4 Star Ratings from 2019 and 5 Star Ratings from 2020.The criteria which underpin the Stars will evolve. For example, we plan to recognize factories for participation in ICTI CARE capability training modules or other good practice initiatives for worker well-being. How do the Star Ratings compare to existing ICTI CARE Seal Classifications?ICTI CARE’s existing Seal Classifications (A60, A, B, and C) reflect hours worked at factories. The proposed Star Ratings show how factories perform across all areas in the Graded Audit Checklist.The new Star Rating system also allows factories to differentiate themselves based on a larger set of indicators and demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement. Read more about the Star Ratings. I am due to conduct an audit soon, how will these updates affect me?All audits conducted before 1st March 2018 will use the existing ICTI CARE Audit Checklist, Seals will be issued using the current ICTI CARE Seal Classifications (A60, A, B, and C). Audits conducted from the 1st March 2018 onwards will then use the final versions of the new, graded ICTI CARE Audit Checklist and Star Rating System. How can my factory participate in a factory pilot? Throughout September and October 2017, ICTI CARE will conduct a limited number of factory pilots to test the Graded Audit Checklist and Star Ratings.Please email consultation@ethicaltoyprogram.org to find out more about piloting the Graded Audit Checklist and Star Ratings at your factory. How can I find out more and ask questions?ICTI CARE is running consultation webinars, training, and Q&A sessions throughout September and October 2017 to explain the new ICTI CARE Audit Checklist and Star Rating System.How can I share my views?Stakeholder input is a crucial part of program development at ICTI CARE. Consultation on the proposed changes is now open and closes on the 20th of November 2017 (it has been extended from 3rd to 20th November).Consultation workshops, webinars, along with Q&A sessions, will be held throughout the consultation period.We invite all interested parties to review the proposed updates and share feedback by:Familiarizing yourself with the changes by downloading our consultation packAttending a training or webinar session to learn more, or ask any questions Submitting any comments or feedback via our online consultation formThe ICTI CARE Team will review all feedback during the development of the final versions of the enhanced ICTI CARE Audit Checklist and new rating system for ICTI CARE Certificates.