Partnering for ethical supply-chains and sustainable sourcing
At Intertek we recognise that responsible sourcing is a vital pillar of supply-chain assurance and brand protection. The ICS scheme is a leading industry-driven initiative designed specifically for retail and consumer-goods brands to systematically improve working conditions and environmental performance across global supply chains.
What is ICS?
Launched in 1998 by the French Federation of Commerce and Distribution (FCD), ICS is a multi-member, sector-based audit and database programme originally focused on textile, retail, footwear, electronics and furniture sourcing.
Its objective is clear: support factories that supply member brands in sustainably improving conditions for workers and ensuring environmental responsibility.
Why ICS matters for your brand
- Common audit methodology - ICS members collaborate using a unified questionnaire framework, enabling consistent evaluation of social and environmental performance.
- Reduced audit fatigue - Audit results are registered on a shared ICS database, enabling brands to avoid unnecessary repetitive audits and focus on improvement.
- Independent audit execution - Audits under ICS are mandated by the brand members and performed exclusively by third-party ICS-accredited audit firms, ensuring independence and credibility.
- Meaningful improvement-driven framework - ICS audits are not certificates or labels; they are improvement programmes that focus on corrective action-planning, monitoring rules for critical non-conformities and continual progress.
Scope and coverage
The ICS scheme operates globally across upstream factories in sourcing countries. It is concentrated on sectors where complex, multi-tier supply chains are common (for example, textiles, clothing, furniture, fixtures, equipment, appliances, foods, electronic, car maintenance and renewable energies sectors), and addresses both social compliance and environmental requirements.
Through Intertek’s global network of auditors, we offer ICS programme support in key sourcing geographies worldwide.
Core structure of ICS audits
The ICS methodology encompasses the following key features:
- Audit launch is controlled by brand members - the brand decides when the audit happens.
- Scope includes semi-announced or unannounced audits in most cases, enabling more accurate on-site evaluation.
- A shared database records audit conclusions, corrective action plans (CAPs) and monitoring progress.
- The ICS Social and Environmental Codes of Conduct set out core expectations for suppliers. For social code, topics include management systems, transparency, traceability, minimum age/child labour, forced labour, discrimination, working hours, remuneration, health & safety.
- The environmental code addresses topics such as environmental management systems, energy use, water use, waste management, emissions, hazardous substances and emergency response.
How Intertek supports your ICS-compliant supply chain
With our global presence and expertise in assurance services, Intertek offers comprehensive support for the ICS scheme including:
- Qualified ICS-trained auditors able to conduct ICS audits in multiple countries and languages.
- Pre-audit gap assessments, corrective action planning and supplier training to prepare sites for ICS programme participation.
- Integration of ICS audit results with broader supply chain assurance, sustainability and ESG risk-management programmes (such as due diligence under European CSRD, the double-materiality principle, or supplier-resilience frameworks).
- Reporting and analytics to track supplier improvement over time, drive transparency and demonstrate compliance to stakeholders and regulators.
- Advisory services to align your sourcing strategy with emerging regulatory requirements (for example EU due-diligence obligations) and to embed continuous improvement of labour- and environment-rights performance.
Who should engage in ICS?
- Retailers and brands sourcing products in sectors such as apparel, footwear, electronics and furniture, who seek to harmonise their audit frameworks, reduce duplication and strengthen supply-chain transparency.
- Supplier factories that supply ICS-member brands and want to align with the ICS Code of Conduct and demonstrate continuous improvement in social and environmental performance.
- Assurance providers, audit firms and consultants working in the responsible-sourcing ecosystem who need to understand ICS methodologies and interface with ICS-member requirements.
Benefits at a glance
- Improved worker conditions and supplier-site performance through structured audit and CAP monitoring.
- Streamlined auditing processes and cost-efficiencies by using shared ICS tools and databases.
- Strengthened compliance posture with leading global practices and supply-chain oversight.
- Enhanced brand reputation and stakeholder confidence in ethical sourcing and sustainability commitments.
Get started
If you are ready to engage the ICS programme with Intertek, contact us for a consultation. We will help map your supply-chain risks, prepare your suppliers for ICS audits, integrate data into your assurance framework and provide ongoing support to drive continuous improvement and sustainable performance.
Contact us today to learn how Intertek can help you implement ICS and assure compliance across your supply-chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
ICS is an industry-driven programme created to help retailers and brands improve social and environmental conditions in their global supply chains. It provides a common audit methodology and a central database that supports consistent evaluation and continuous improvement.
No. ICS is not a certification or label. It is an audit and improvement system that focuses on identifying risks, implementing corrective actions and tracking progress over time.
ICS audits are performed only by ICS-approved third-party auditing firms. Intertek’s qualified auditors are trained to conduct ICS audits consistently with ICS methodology and requirements.
ICS audits evaluate social and environmental performance. Social topics include management systems, child labour, forced labour, discrimination, working hours, wages, freedom of association, and health and safety. Environmental topics include water use, energy use, waste management, hazardous substances and emergency preparedness.
Retailers and brands that are ICS members use the programme to improve supply-chain visibility and reduce duplicate audits. Suppliers that work with ICS member brands participate to demonstrate compliance, strengthen operations and support long-term business relationships.
Audit frequency is determined by the ICS member brand. Audits may be semi-announced or unannounced, and follow-up assessments are conducted when corrective actions are required.
Yes. Because ICS members share audit results through a central database, suppliers avoid repeating similar audits for multiple customers, allowing more time and resources to focus on improvement.
Intertek provides ICS audit services, pre-audit preparation, corrective action planning, supplier training and ongoing improvement support. We help brands and factories integrate ICS requirements into broader sustainability and compliance strategies.
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