Ensuring Excellence in amfori QMI with Audit Quality Assurance

by amfori created 2024-12-24T09:23:29+07:00
Launched in the first quarter of 2022, the amfori Quality Management Initiative (amfori QMI) has achieved remarkable success in helping companies improve the quality of supply chain and trade more responsibly. By focusing on enhancing the internal systems of business partners, amfori QMI enables members to address critical governance issues in a cost effective and integral manner. Similar with other ESG tools and services, amfori QMI has taken reference to the framework so as to ensure that amfori QMI assessments meet the highest standards of transparency, integrity and accountability. In the longer run, amfori QMI will fully incorporate the guidance of AAP framework after rolling out to more countries and regions.

amfori QMI – What makes it stand out?

As an integral amfori’s ESG tools and services under the governance pillar, amfori QMI is a forward-thinking initiative designed to evaluate and improve the quality management systems of the business partners. The amfori QMI framework evaluates four core aspects:

  • Infrastructure, System and Environment
  • Product Design
  • Incoming Materials Quality Control
  • Product Control

The assessment is a one-day onsite single audit to provide a quick scan into the producer’s quality management capabilities. It is now available in key sourcing countries in Asia including China, India, Thailand and Vietnam. Members can boost its governance performance across global supply chain with amfori QMI by reducing resources spent on producer assessments, avoiding duplication of factory audits and engaging in continuous improvement of quality management initiatives.

Ensuring Audit Quality Assurance in amfori QMI

The amfori QMI quality assurance programme consists of two key components – audit quality and audit integrity, and each providing unique support and evaluation activities.

The audit quality component includes a comprehensive monitoring system with strict acceptance criteria for our monitoring partners and auditors, various on-site- and off-site activities, and in-depth quality investigations. These measures are designed to enhance consistent, reliable and compliant audits in accordance with the amfori BSCI standard.

The audit integrity component aims at enhancing audit integrity by identifying, addressing, and mitigating risks that could undermine the reliability and credibility of audit findings.

In the future, the amfori QMI quality assurance programme will elevate its impact by embedding it within a robust framework for quality and integrity.

  • Uniform Standards: amfori QMI audits now adhere to the rigorous protocols with high consistency and credibility
  • Ethical Oversight: The integrity mechanisms ensure all QMI assessments are honest, objective and reliable
  • Continuous Monitoring: Report review, system reviews and onsite witness audits to enhance the quality of amfori QMI audits
  • Accountability Frameworks: Complaints, investigations and improvement sanctions process uphold the credibility of amfori QMI results

A Holistic Tool for Responsible Supply Chain Practices

amfori QMI goes beyond being a simple quality assessment tool - it serves as a valuable resource for companies striving to align their supply chain practices with international standards for responsible trade. amfori QMI supports members in strengthening governance, minimising inefficiencies, and driving continuous improvement.

In an era where transparency, accountability, and sustainability are paramount, amfori QMI provides companies with the tools to address these pressing requirements effectively.