Within this blog I am only dealing with LSAS Level 1 Foundation requirements as these are the starting point and a requirement for suppliers within scope of supply to achieve at least LSAS Level 1 within 12 months of the contract award date. In general, LSAS Level 1, the Foundation level is about having a basic framework in place which deals with Labour Standards issues within the supply chain. Of the 15 Sections of LSAS only 12 apply to Level 1.
Section 1 – Policy
That the company have a policy in place which is documented, approved by “top” management and is appropriate to the size and scale of the company. Has a commitment for addressing compliance with legal and other standards. Defines a set of minimum labour standards and makes a commitment to continual improvement. Some of these requirements are similar to what you would find within other management system standards such as ISO 9001, however, instead of being aimed at product/service it is aimed at the workers within the supply chain. As with many management system standards the key is commitment so to demonstrate this commitment it would be normal for the policy to be endorsed by top management.
Section 2 – Management Representative
Again, the requirements of this section are very similar to those within ISO 9001 for example, whereby top management should appoint a representative who has responsibility and authority to establish, implement and maintain an effective labour standard assurance management system and report the results in terms of performance back to top management. A way of complying with this section would be to have an organisation chart identifying the management representative as well as a job description defining stating the responsibilities and authority level. This is just one suggestion there are other ways of meeting this requirement.
Section 3 – Labour Standards Status Review
This section requires the company to have conducted a risk assessment in relation to labour standards. The risk assessment should be reviewed to ensure it has addressed all labour standards risks within the scope of supply.
Section 4 – Legal & Other Requirements
The organisation should implement a procedure which identifies information on relevant employment and human rights legislation regarding its direct operations. All staff should have access to this information and understand how it applies in relation to their roles and responsibilities. For companies with more than one location the use of an intranet would be an effective way of communication as well as a centralised control on updates.
Section 5 – Objectives, Targets & Programmes
The organisation should establish, implement and maintain “documented” objectives and targets related to the assurance of labour standards. The objectives should be achievable, and actions and target documented.
Section 6 – Roles & Responsibilities
The roles, responsibilities and authorities should be documented and communicated to facilitate effective management of labour standards within the organisation’s direct operations and through its supply chain.
Section 7 – Competence, Training & Awareness
This section requires the company to ensure that training, experience and personnel criteria for those working within labour standards have been defined. Also, that training and development plans have been created, where applicable. It is worth while noting the order in which the words appear in this section heading. Competence first, then Training and lastly Awareness. There is no formal training on labour standards required for Level 1.
Section 8 – Communications
There should be an effective system in place to communicate labour standards findings and issues to top management. Each company should choose a system that fits within the resources and the technology that is available to them.
Section 9 – Documentation & Records
There are no requirements under Level 1 for this Section. The requirements come in at Level 2.
Section 10 – Operational Control
The organisation should identify the critical control points and risks associated to labour standards within its “direct” operations. This Section related directly to Section 3, Labour Standards Status Review.
Section 11 – Supply Chain Management
There are several requirements within this Section even for Level 1. There should be a “documented procedure” in place to address the management of supply chain labour standards risks and issues. The supply chain should be mapped, and it should be clear the level it has been mapped to. Although the mapping is quite far down the requirements it should be considered as a second step only just behind definition of the policy. The policy for labour standards should be communicate both internally and externally to directly contracted suppliers and contractors (Tier 1).
Section 12 – Emergency Response
The organisation should have a basic plan in place to mitigate against adverse impacts if significant labour standards risks manifest themselves. This could be in the form of a documented procedure for handling any significant risks or critical issues that may come to light.
Section 13 – Performance Monitoring & Measurement
There are no requirements under Level 1 for this Section. The requirements come in at Level 2.
Section 14 – Corrective Action
There are no requirements under Level 1 for this Section. The requirements come in at Level 2.
Section 15 – Management Review
The organisation’s top management should review their labour standards assurance system and performance, at planned intervals, to ensure continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. This is almost the same as the requirements for management review within ISO 9001 except for the words, “labour assurance.” An organisation who already has a quality management system, environmental management system and/or health and safety management system could quite easily integrated approach.
For any organisation thinking of starting or has started and would like some more information or assistance on the interpretation of the requirements of LSAS Level 1, then you can send an email directly to us at enquiry@ia-uk.com or create a posting on any of our social media platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/iassociatesuk/
https://twitter.com/iassociatesuk
e-Learning Portal
We have an e-learning portal which has details of LSAS training, please visit:
Other Sources of information:
