Step 1 – Application

The facility sends a completed application form and fee (US$1195) to WRAP.

To apply for certification, click on "New Application" or "Renew Certification" (whichever is relevant to the facility in question) on top of this page. 

Step 2 – Self-Assessment

The Self-Assessment Handbook can be found on the website under Handbooks.

The handbooks are written in English, Spanish, and Chinese and explain WRAP’s principles and procedures. Facility management must adopt all the principles and prepare documentation that indicating that it is implementing certain procedures. When satisfied that it has complied with the requirements in the Handbook for a minimum of  90 days, the facility notifies WRAP that it is ready for monitoring.

Step 3 – Monitoring

WRAP authorizes facility management to hire an independent monitor from a list of monitoring companies and civil society organizations that regularly perform audits for compliance with policies and procedures required by third parties—in this case, WRAP. WRAP has accredited them to monitor facilities in one or more specified countries for compliance with WRAP’s detailed policies and procedures.

The facility negotiates a fee and schedules the audit with the monitoring firm. A facility has six months from the date of registration payment to WRAP (Step 1, above) to have the monitor submit its report and recommendation to factory management and WRAP with a favorable recommendation.

Step 4 – Evaluation

The WRAP staff takes one of two actions:

1. WRAP Staff may notify the facility that it needs to correct certain procedures and have the monitor make an additional inspection and report. After the factory makes the corrections, it must implement them for at least 90 days before the monitoring firm conducts its follow-up inspection. If the factory does not satisfactorily implement corrective actions within the original six-month grace period (see above), it must renew its application and repay the registration fee in order to be considered for certification.
2. WRAP Staff may recommend to the Certification Board that the factory be certified.

Step 5 – Certification

Certification The Certification Board (currently the Board of Directors of WRAP) studies the recommendation of the staff, including the monitor’s report, and votes to award or withhold certification. (In the latter case, the staff will proceed as in Step 4 (A), above.) During the one-year certification period, all facilities, especially those that needed a second audit, are subject to unannounced inspections

FEES

The facility bears all the costs associated with certification. Note that the only fee paid to WRAP is the registration fee (Step 1, above). The only other cost to the facility is the fee that it freely negotiates with an accredited monitor of its choice (Step 3). Only MasterCard and VISA credit cards are accepted.

CERTIFICATION LEVELS

In October 2006, WRAP announced the introduction of a new, three-level facility certification program. The purpose of this program is to award participating facilities with the appropriate level of recognition for their progress in achieving full compliance with the WRAP Production Principles over a period of time. The details are as follows:

“Platinum” Certificate    

Awarded to a facility that has demonstrated full compliance with all WRAP principles for three consecutive years, and has successfully “passed” each audit with no corrective actions. Facilities that meet these criteria will be issued a two-year certificate. The facility will be subject to an unannounced audit during its two-year certification. Facilities must maintain continuous certification to qualify for the “Platinum” certificate.  

“Gold” Certificate

A one-year certificate is awarded to a facility that has demonstrated full compliance with all WRAP principles during the first audit, or in subsequent audits. The one year certification begins from the date of issue of the certificate, not from the date of the audit. (The “Gold” certification is equal to WRAP’s current compliance certificate.)

“Silver” Certificate

A six-month certificate will be issued to facilities that demonstrate substantial compliance with the WRAP principles, but have minor non-compliances in policies, procedures or training that need to be addressed. Facilities may not have any “red flag” noncompliances such as child labor, egregious health & safety or environmental issues, prison labor, forced labor or involuntary labor, or harassment or abuse of employees. Facilities must demonstrate that employees are paid the legal minimum wage and any required overtime compensation.

• Qualifying facilities must request a six-month certification from the WRAP office, in writing, at the conclusion of their first formal audit. Six-month certificates will not be automatically issued.

• Qualifying facilities must reapply prior to the expiration of their six-month certificate and pay a reduced registration fee of US$895.

• A facility must demonstrate continuous improvement toward achieving full compliance as attainment of a “Gold” certificate.

• A facility may be awarded a six-month certificate for no more than three consecutive periods (maximum of 18 months). If the facility fails to achieve full compliance, they must wait for a six-month period and then reapply using their original identification number.

• The certificate awarded to the facility will specify which WRAP Principle(s) require(s) corrective action.

All other compliance requirements and registration fees for WRAP certification remain the same.