Tesco is the largest retailer in the United Kingdom, and must source their products from all over the globe to meet customer demand. In order to ensure that their global supply chain operates in accordance with high ethical standards, Tesco has developed the Ethical Trading Initiative. The ETI Base Code is a comprehensive document that describes the socially responsible practices all suppliers and subcontractors must adopt in order to manufacture Tesco products.
InTouch compliance auditors will evaluate your suppliers against the very same standards as Tesco’s own inspection teams. InTouch will then directly address with your supplier all instances of non-compliance with the Base Code in areas such as:
Tesco’s Base Code prohibits the use of child and compulsory labor, as well as the retention of employee documents such as identification and working permits as a prerequisite of employment. Furthermore, Tesco requires that suppliers found to violate this provision of the Base Code must provide for the transition of any child laborer into quality education until no longer a child. InTouch compliance auditors will quickly identify these unethical labor practices, and work with you suppliers to develop and implement transition programs for any child laborers found.
Included in the Base Code are provisions to ensure that the living and working conditions of all employees in Tesco’s global supply chain are safe and sanitary. Among these provisions are requirements that employees have access to clean toilet facilities and to potable water; as well as stipulations that management actively take steps to minimize or eliminate hazards inherent in the working environment. During factory audits, InTouch compliance auditors can determine the presence and maintenance of sanitary facilities as well as safety equipment and procedures. Where these are lacking, InTouch will work closely with your suppliers to implement health and safety best practices.
Physical abuse or discipline, sexual or other harassment and other forms of intimidation are all prohibited under the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code, and all instances of disciplinary action must be recorded. Furthermore, the Base 
Code opposes any discrimination based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
Through confidential employee interviews, InTouch compliance auditors can determine if suppliers use discriminatory or inhumane disciplinary practices. Thorough record audits will allow InTouch to verify that disciplinary action is properly recorded. When instances of non compliance with these provisions is discovered, InTouch will work alongside your supplier to discourage the use of inhumane disciplinary or discriminatory practices, and implement proper record keeping guidelines.
You guys are quite efficient in making sure that you are in constant communication with our vendors to set up a time and day to have inspections handled... InTouch definitely pushed to make sure that inspections would be done in a timely manner. Any corrective actions that had to take place were executed well before the exit factory date.
Ron Eclarinal
Director of Production, Betabrand
Since InTouch does a more detailed inspection than what we had depended on with the factories, the quality of the products has improved. Where before when we might find 25 AQL defects, now it's down to three or four,because the factory knows that we want that cut back and InTouch is going to find it.
Deb Choate
Administrative Assistant, Linstol
InTouch’s auditing reduced the level of risk, whether known or unknown, to our company. From the audit findings provided by InTouch, we were much more equipped to make the correct business decision with regard to an acceptable level of risk. The InTouch audit secured our decision making process.
Jerry Davis
Vice President of Purchasing, MJS Packaging
One of our customers had been through multiple suppliers year after year and had been let down with returns and rejections. With InTouch as our eyes and ears on the ground, we retained that business for 5 years without one single rejection or complaint.
Nick Rivera
Director of Operations, MMI Textiles
The speed that we get the reports is always good. We had an experience with some other inspectors where we had to wait an extra day to get the reports. Getting the report as soon as we can is very important, so we can make a decision and give feedback back to the factory.
Denis O'Mahony
Operations and Engineering Manager, Juku Gear
From beginning to end, InTouch is so easy to work with. The inspection report is literally there the next morning when I come into work. It really makes my job easier.
Nicole Thoma
Inside Sales Specialist, MJS Packaging
