News Articles

The UK’s House of Lords has released a significant report urging immediate reforms to the Modern Slavery Act 2015, aiming to align the country’s legislation with global standards for supply chain due diligence. These proposed changes target stronger enforcement, stricter penalties, and deeper compliance measures to effectively tackle exploitation risks within business operations and supply chains.

Key Recommendations from the Report:

• Stronger Enforcement:

  Establishing a Single Enforcement Body to centralise and strengthen oversight, ensuring compliance with labour rights and anti-exploitation measures.

• Stricter Penalties:

  Imposing proportionate sanctions on companies that fail to comply with reporting and due diligence requirements, driving accountability across all sectors.

• Enhanced Due Diligence:

  Shifting focus from transparency alone to proactive measures that require businesses to actively prevent exploitation in supply chains.

Why is Reform Necessary?

While the Modern Slavery Act was initially praised for setting a benchmark in transparency, other countries have since adopted more comprehensive legislation. Global regulations, such as Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Directive, demand proactive steps to identify, mitigate, and prevent exploitation within supply chains. Without similar updates, the UK risks falling behind in addressing modern slavery and maintaining ethical business practices.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

The potential changes could lead to stricter reporting requirements and enforcement measures. Businesses must start preparing by reviewing and enhancing their current due diligence processes. Key areas of focus should include:

• Identifying High-Risk Sectors:

  Prioritising sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics, where risks of exploitation are highest.

• Stricter Penalties:

  Integrating human rights due diligence into procurement and supply chain management to ensure compliance with emerging standards.

• Preparing for Increased Scrutiny:

  Anticipating more rigorous audits and evaluations of supply chain practices to ensure full compliance with evolving regulations.

The Benefits of Proactive Compliance

Taking proactive steps not only helps businesses meet potential new requirements but also ensures ethical and responsible operations. Ethical compliance builds trust with stakeholders, reduces reputational risks, and aligns with broader goals of sustainable business practices.

Act Now to Secure Compliance

As reforms may be introduced soon, businesses should start strengthening due diligence processes and consider consulting experts to navigate these changes effectively. Contact us today to ensure your compliance processes are proactive, ethical, and in line with the latest global standards!

enquiry@ia-uk.com

Author: M-Cloes

Published Date: October 31, 2024

We are delighted to announce the official opening of our new office in Malaysia, further expanding our global reach and reinforcing our commitment to delivering excellent audit and certification services. This new branch will serve as a strategic hub for our growing client base in Southeast Asia, providing localised support tailored to the specific needs of industries in the region.

Why Malaysia?

With its growing economy and strong industrial base, Malaysia plays a crucial role in international trade and manufacturing. Businesses are focusing on compliance, social responsibility, and sustainability, and we are here to support them with a full suite of auditing and certification services.

Our Services:

Our Malaysia branch will offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help businesses meet international standards and thrive in today’s competitive market. These services include:

• Authorised Representative Services
• Social Accountability Audits
• Management System Certification
• Energy and Security Audits
• Training and Development
• Software Solutions

Key Benefits for Our Clients:

• Localised Expertise –

  Our team consist of professionals with deep knowledge of both global standards and the local regulatory environment, ensuring that audits are not only thorough but also aligned with the unique challenges faced by businesses in the region.

• Cutting-Edge Tools –

  Our advanced auditing tools and digital platforms enable faster, more accurate, and highly transparent audit results, ensuring efficiency and precision across all offices.

• Customised Solutions –

  We understand that no two businesses are alike, and our team will work closely with each client to deliver tailored solutions that meet specific industry and regulatory needs.

Driving Global Standards Across Southeast Asia

With the opening of our Malaysia office, we aim to work closely with businesses in the region, helping them enhance their operational efficiency, meet compliance standards, and build stronger reputations in global markets. From certification to comprehensive audits and beyond, we are committed to supporting our clients in their pursuit of excellence.

Connect with Us in Malaysia

We invite businesses across Malaysia and Southeast Asia to reach out and explore how our services can add value to their operations. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please feel free to contact us.

enquiry@ia-uk.com

Author: m-coles

Published Date: October 31, 2024

Our 4th International Conference, hosted in the lively city of Manila, Philippines, has been an incredible success! The conference brought together brilliant minds from across the globe, sparking new conversations and generating ideas that will shape the future of our company.

Day 1: Sharing Insights, Sparking Innovation

Our first day set the stage with energetic discussions on the latest developments in our operations. From expanding our global footprint to innovative cutting-edge software tools such as iNet, BRAND, and blended audits, the enthusiasm in the room was contagious. Every session offered something valuable, with thought-provoking insights into our future goals and innovations. We are off to a fantastic start!

Day 2: Turning Potential into Progress

The second day of the conference dived into how we are turning potential into tangible results. With a strong focus on the latest auditing tools, blended audit approaches, and updates on social compliance and ISO standards, we explored what’s next for the industry. The team was inspired by the future possibilities and determined to continue leading the way in auditing and compliance excellence.

Day 3: Transforming Ideas into Action

As the conference wrapped up on the final day, we were inspired by an impactful series of training sessions, covering everything from SEDEX updates to Adidas audit practices and WRAP compliance. Our team embraced the challenge of transforming innovative concepts into real, impactful changes across our global operations. This is where the real work begins!

A Look Ahead

As we move forward, our focus remains on translating these brilliant ideas into progress. With renewed energy, our global team is ready to tackle the challenges ahead and continue leading with innovation and integrity. Contact us today to learn more!

enquiry@ia-uk.com

Author: m-coles

Published Date: October 31, 2024

Swissmedic has recently introduced key updates to its Technical Interpretation regarding the role of the "Responsible Person" under the Swiss Medical Devices Ordinance (MedDO). These new guidelines are essential for maintaining compliance in Switzerland’s medical device market. Is your organisation prepared to comply with these changes?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key changes:

• Qualifications and Experience: The Responsible Person (RP) must have the appropriate educational background and relevant industry experience. Depending on the nature of your operations (GMP, GDP), this could range from 1 to 4 years of professional experience. For companies handling high-risk medical devices, it’s mandatory that the RP has specific experience in this area.

• Language Proficiency: Swissmedic now requires the Responsible Person to be fluent in one of Switzerland’s official languages: German, French, or Italian. This ensures effective communication with regulatory bodies and guarantees that the company can meet compliance requirements seamlessly.

• Operational Supervision: The Responsible Person is required to actively supervise the company’s operations. This includes dedicating at least 10% of full-time work hours to ensuring that all critical steps are compliant with Swiss regulations. This hands-on approach helps to prevent non-compliance and ensures continuous oversight of key operational processes.

• Absence Coverage: In the event of the Responsible Person’s absence (up to four months), a qualified deputy must be appointed to take over full responsibilities, ensuring compliance is maintained without interruption. If the absence exceeds four months, a new application for a Responsible Person is required to guarantee that the company remains compliant with Swissmedic’s guidelines.

Why This Matters:

Non-compliance with these requirements can lead to significant penalties, including market delays, product recalls, or suspension of market access in Switzerland.

Don’t risk market delays or penalties, contact us today for a compliance audit and keep your operations running smoothly.

📧 enquiry@ia-uk.com | 🌐 www.ia-uk.com

Author: m-coles

Published Date: October 1, 2024

Are Health & Safety (H&S) compliance taking up too much of your time and resources? Managing compliance across multiple locations can be a costly and time-consuming burden, but it doesn’t have to be.

International Associates has collaborated with Deep Fathom to bring you the H&S Digital Assessment, an all-in-one digital solution designed to simplify your audits, reduce risks, and save you money. This innovative platform identifies gaps in compliance, delivers actionable insights, and helps you take control of your H&S audits.

Here’s how it works:

What is the H&S Digital Assessment?

• Prevent Compliance Issues Before They Happen: Do not wait for costly incidents, detect and resolve compliance gaps proactively, ensuring your business stays protected.

• Make Informed Decisions Faster: The platform gives you data-driven insights in real time, empowering you to make smarter, faster decisions that align with your business goals.

• Reduce Audit Times & Costs: Conduct audits across multiple locations at once, reducing manual labour and saving both time and money. Lower operational costs and minimise disruptions.

• Turn Insights into Action: With clear, actionable recommendations, you can quickly move from identifying problems to implementing solutions that improve compliance across all your sites.

Ready to Enhance Your Health & Safety Audits?

Imagine simplifying your audits and making the entire process more efficient. With the H&S Digital Assessment, you will streamline your entire process, boost compliance, and reduce costs from day one. Experience the powerful impact of faster, smarter, and more cost-effective audits that drive real results. Get started today, contact us to see how the H&S Digital Assessment can transform your audit process!

Author: m-coles

Published Date: October 1, 2024

Sedex has recently introduced SMETA 7.0, an enhanced version of the widely recognised Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA). At International Associates, we are ready to support your organisation through this transition and ensure compliance with the updated standards.

The updated SMETA 7.0 methodology introduces improvements aimed at helping businesses more effectively address the root causes of non-conformities while driving long-term sustainable improvement. In the absence of identified non-conformities, the new methodology provides a deeper evaluation of management systems to ensure continued alignment with ethical principles and standards.

One of the most impactful enhancements in SMETA 7.0 is the introduction of Workplace Requirements. These clear, actionable guidelines simplify the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) codebase and Sedex additions, making it easier for auditors to assess compliance. This update helps ensure that businesses meet both local laws and international standards, which ultimately means better protection for workers and stronger supply chain compliance.

We highly encourage our Sedex member clients to explore the Sedex E-Learning platform, which offers comprehensive resources to help you understand the updated framework and prepare effectively for future audits under SMETA 7.0.

Whether you are preparing for your first SMETA audit or seeking guidance on the new requirements, International Associates is here to assist you every step of the way. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition and providing tailored support to help your organization achieve full compliance.

Whether you are preparing for your first SMETA audit or seeking guidance on the new requirements, International Associates is here to assist you every step of the way. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition and providing tailored support to help your organization achieve full compliance.

For more information or to discuss how we can assist with your auditing needs, please get in touch with us.

enquiry@ia-uk.com

Author: m-coles

Published Date: October 1, 2024