FSLM: Verification Process

Table of Contents

• Accessing Verification Requests as a Verifier or Verifying Body
• Preparing for and completing FSLM verification
• How do Verifiers mark, correct, and flag questions?
• Requesting edits from your verifier
• Handling expired FSLM self-assessments on Worldly
• SLCP Gateway Accounts

Verification ensures that you accurately complete all parts of the Higg FSLM, giving your self-assessment the credibility and accuracy required to share it publicly.

Verification of the FSLM or CAF assessment is conducted by a third-party SLCP-approved verifier. The Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative committed to improving working conditions in global supply chains.

Click here to see the list of all active FSLM/CAF Verifying Bodies. The verifier is selected and hired to review a facility site. The verifier is the only person responsible for validating the accuracy of the assessment.

Accessing Verification Requests as a Verifier or Verifying Body

When the facility selects a Verifying Body (VB) on an FSLM assessment in ASC status, the VB will receive a notification email regarding the facility's assessment.

To view the facility's request, they must:

1. Navigate to Assessments, followed by Higg FSLM. 
   
2. Select Modules from the black navigation bar, and locate Verification Requests. 
   
3. Once the VB approves the verification request, they can proceed to assign verifiers on SLCP Gateway.
   

Preparing for and completing FSLM verification

1. Facilities must first confirm the timing and terms of the verification directly with VB. Verification confirmation happens outside of the Worldly.org platform. Facilities must contact a VB to understand costs and availability. Click here to see a list of FSLM VBs, and click here for an estimated price of the FSLM verification. We still recommend checking with the VB before proceeding, as some prices may vary.
    
2. From the upper navigation bar, select Higg FSLM from the Assessments tab.
    
3. On the FSLM Dashboard, click on Link SLCP Account. You need to do this to link the assessment to your SLCP account. More details on the SLCP here.
   
    
4. On the side pop-out window, enter in the SLCP Facility ID associated with this assessment and select Link.
   
   
    
5. Click Link again.
   
    
6. Once the account is linked to the SLCP Facility ID, click on Select Verifying Body on the FSLM Dashboard. The SLCP Facility ID is linked once you see it in the black navigation bar.
   
    
7. Locate the VB name in the list and click Select. 
   
    
8. Next, click Yes. This means you have already contacted and confirmed the verification with this Verifier. 
   
    
9. Once you’ve selected the VB, you’ll be redirected to the FSLM Dashboard. The VB will receive a notification. Once they accept the request, they will assign a specific verifier to perform the verification. They will directly contact you for further instructions. 
   
   • You can see the VB name and the pending status of the request
   • Under Contact, it will say Waiting for verifier assignment until the verifier point of contact has been assigned.
      
10. Once the VB has accepted your request, the status will change to Accepted.
11. Once the VB has assigned your verifier, the Contact will change to the name of the verifier.
    
     
12. You can track the status of your verification progress from the loading bar.
     
13. Once the verification and assessment have been submitted to VRC, the facility must review the verification. The facility can either Finalize + Post the verification, request edits of the verification, or dispute the verification.

For more information on the Higg FSLM Verification Program, click here.

How do Verifiers mark, correct, and flag questions?

Once the Verifier has accepted and begun the verification of the FSLM, they will see the “Verification” field which contains a dropdown of the verifier response to the self assessment. They can mark accurate, inaccurate, etc.

If the verifier determines that the self assessment answer is incorrect, they will mark the “verification” field as inaccurate and correct the facility’s response underneath the question text.

The verifier will also be required to add a comment into the “Verification Data” field. The verifier should offer an explanation about how they marked this question. 

To flag a question, the verifier should click the Flag icon with the label “Flag non-compliance” as shown below:

Requesting edits from your verifier

To change the status of the module from VRC to VRE, the facility needs to click Request Edit.

Next, the facility must reach out to verifiers offline in order to move the status of the assessment to VRE, which enables the verifier to edit the assessment.

Handling expired FSLM self-assessments on Worldly

Why can't I select a Verifying Body or begin verification?

Posted FSLM self-assessment data are only valid for 60 days from the date of the self/joint-assessment submission (FP-BAS-26). If 60 days have passed and you would still like to complete verification, follow the steps below. 

How to Handle an Expired FSLM Self-Assessment

If your FSLM self-assessment has expired, follow these steps to resolve the situation:

1. Reopen your FSLM
   On your overview page, click "Reopen/Unpost Assessment"

2. Update Your FSLM Data

   Once your assessment is reopened, review and update your FSLM data as necessary. Ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date.

3. Verify Submission Date

   Make sure that the submission date in FP-BAS-26 falls within two months from the current date. This is an important requirement to proceed.

4. Post the Self-Assessment (ASC)

   After updating your data and ensuring the submission date is correct, post the self-assessment again.

5. Contact Support
   • Inform them that you have already updated your FSLM as well as your submission date and that you request to extend the validity of the assessment. 

6. Proceed with Verification

   With your FSLM self-assessment enabled again, proceed with the verification process and move the assessment status to "VRP" (Verification in Progress).

SLCP Gateway Accounts

If you do not have an SLCP account for this facility yet, register an account in the SLCP Gateway here. It is required to connect your account and assessment to the SLCP to ensure proper verification protocol and data quality.

Once your account is approved, you may check the SLCP ID and log into Worldly to link it to your facility account. If you have questions about the SLCP registration process, you may directly contact the SLCP team here.