🏢What is amfori? The Global Leader Driving Ethical and Sustainable Trade

In today’s interconnected world, consumers, brands, and governments are increasingly demanding that businesses operate ethically, transparently, and sustainably. For companies involved in global supply chains, especially in the textile, garment, footwear, and consumer goods industries, this means going beyond quality and price—there’s now a strong focus on social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

This is where amfori comes in. But what exactly is amfori? How does it help businesses meet these rising expectations? And why is it considered a cornerstone for companies aiming for responsible global trade?

Let’s explore this in detail.

 

🏢 What is amfori?

amfori is a global business association dedicated to helping companies improve the social and environmental performance of their supply chains. Based in Brussels, Belgium, amfori supports companies to achieve transparent, responsible, and sustainable trade.

Originally founded as the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) in 1977, the organization was rebranded to amfori in 2018 to better reflect its international vision and modern approach to sustainable trade.

Today, amfori represents more than 2,400 member companies operating across 40+ countries worldwide, ranging from small and medium enterprises to some of the biggest global brands.

 

🌐 The Core Missions and Programs of amfori

amfori works primarily through two flagship initiatives designed to cover the key pillars of social compliance and environmental responsibility in global supply chains:

1. amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative)

• Focus: Improving working conditions and respecting labor rights in factories and farms around the world.
• How it works: amfori BSCI provides a standardized Code of Conduct based on international labor conventions (ILO, UN Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines) and organizes third-party audits.
• Shared audit system: Members benefit from a common social audit accepted by many buyers, reducing the need for multiple audits.
• Impact: Helps prevent issues like child labor, forced labor, unsafe working environments, discrimination, and unfair wages.
• Global reach: Thousands of factories across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are regularly audited through BSCI.

2. amfori BEPI (Business Environmental Performance Initiative)

• Focus: Supporting companies to reduce their environmental footprint and promote sustainable resource management.
• How it works: BEPI encourages members to assess and improve their environmental practices, including energy consumption, water use, waste management, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Benefits: Helps businesses reduce costs, comply with regulations, and meet consumer demands for greener products.

 

👥 Who Can Join amfori?

amfori welcomes a wide variety of participants from different parts of the global supply chain:

• Brands and retailers who want to ensure their products are ethically sourced and environmentally responsible.
• Importers and distributors managing complex global supply chains.
• Manufacturers, factories, mills, and farms seeking to demonstrate compliance and improve their social and environmental performance.
• Service providers such as auditors, trainers, and consultants who support sustainability initiatives.

Joining amfori not only boosts credibility but also creates opportunities for new business with major global buyers who require amfori membership as a prerequisite.

 

🤝 Why is amfori Essential for Businesses?

✅ 1. Meeting Growing Buyer and Consumer Expectations

Consumers today are more informed and concerned about where and how their products are made. Brands and retailers face pressure to:

• Ensure safe and fair labor conditions.
• Support environmentally friendly production.
• Demonstrate transparency throughout their supply chains.

amfori provides the framework, tools, and verified data to help businesses meet these expectations efficiently.

✅ 2. Accessing and Expanding Global Markets

International buyers, particularly in Europe, North America, and Australia, often require suppliers to be certified or members of amfori’s programs.

Without this certification, companies risk losing access to important markets and contracts.

✅ 3. Reducing Audit Fatigue and Costs

Before amfori, factories often had to undergo multiple audits from different buyers, which was time-consuming and expensive.

amfori’s shared audit platform enables suppliers to undergo a single social audit accepted by all member buyers, saving time and reducing disruption.

✅ 4. Building Stronger, More Resilient Supply Chains

By promoting better working conditions and environmental management, amfori helps companies build supply chains that are:

• More ethical
• More transparent
• More sustainable
• Less vulnerable to disruptions due to social or environmental issues

✅ 5. Improving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reporting

amfori provides data and insights that companies can use in their CSR and sustainability reports, demonstrating commitment to responsible business practices.

 

📊 amfori’s Global Reach and Impact

• Over 40,000 factories and farms audited worldwide through amfori programs.
• Strong presence in major sourcing countries such as Bangladesh, China, India, Vietnam, Turkey, and Mexico.
• Facilitates collaboration between buyers, suppliers, auditors, and NGOs to continuously improve social and environmental standards.
• Drives continuous improvements through training, capacity building, and awareness campaigns.

 

🔍 What Happens During an amfori BSCI Audit?

A factory audit under amfori BSCI evaluates:

• Compliance with labor laws and international standards.
• Working conditions: health and safety, working hours, wages, contracts.
• Prevention of child labor and forced labor.
• Freedom from discrimination and harassment.
• Environmental impact basics and management systems.
• Ethical business practices and management systems.

The audit results are shared on the amfori platform with member buyers, increasing transparency.

 

📈 Benefits for Suppliers and Factories

• Gain access to premium buyers who prioritize ethical sourcing.
• Benefit from shared audit reports, reducing repetitive audits.
• Receive training and guidance to improve factory conditions.
• Build a stronger reputation and market positioning.
• Contribute to improving workers’ lives and protecting the environment.

 

🌟 Real-Life Example: How amfori Makes a Difference

Imagine a textile factory in Bangladesh. Before joining amfori BSCI, the factory faced multiple audits, conflicting compliance demands, and pressure from buyers.

After joining amfori:

• The factory undergoes one standardized social audit.
• They receive training on worker safety and labor rights.
• Worker conditions improve — fewer accidents, better contracts.
• Buyers feel confident sourcing from the factory.
• The factory wins more orders and builds a stable business.

 

✨ Final Thoughts

For companies involved in global trade, amfori is more than just a certification—it’s a comprehensive system that fosters responsibility, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Joining amfori helps businesses meet buyer expectations, access global markets, and contribute to a more ethical and sustainable world.

Whether you are a brand, retailer, importer, or factory, amfori offers the tools and community to support your journey toward responsible trade.

 

📢 Ready to Join amfori and Make a Difference?

If you want to grow your business sustainably and ethically, amfori membership is a key step. Need help with:

• How to register?
• Preparing for BSCI audits?
• Training your team?

I’m here to assist! Just ask.