Mutual Recognitionof audits, one of the key pillars of AIM-PROGRESS, should not only be based on audit coverage but also on common expectations regarding audit methodology, thus enhancing the robustness of social & ethical auditing. This will help companies to understand not only the content of an audit but how the audit has been carried out, for example the number of auditor days needed and which workers are in scope. In-line with these changes, AIM-PROGRESS and ITC (International Trade Centre) will update the AIM-PROGRESS Protocol Benchmarking Tool to include this information. This will enable companies to make more informed decisions on whether other companies’ audits meet their expectations and will help to drive improvements in supply chain conditions. The Protocol benchmarking tool was also updated to include SA8000 and BSCI as a reference point, following a request at the last members' meeting in Cincinnati.
