Factory audit

Argos is currently the top-ranked commodity retailer in the UK. Apart from not selling food, it offers an almost all-inclusive range of products, totaling 17,000 varieties and specifications. Particularly in the sales of toys, small household appliances, home electronics, furniture, precious metals and jewelry, as well as sports and leisure items, Argos's sales performance is regarded as unmatched by other retailers. 

Nowadays, Argos has over 600 branches, spread across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Argos employs a total of 23,000 staff and has 20 million regular customers. 

It is estimated that in more than two-thirds of households in the UK, at least one person buys goods from Argos. 

The ARGOS factory inspection standards mainly cover two aspects: social responsibility and quality. 

The ARGOS factory inspection social responsibility standards are based on the Sedex certification standards. Sedex has gained the favor of many large retailers and manufacturers. Many retailers, supermarkets, brand owners, suppliers, and other organizations require the farms, factories, and manufacturers they cooperate with to participate in the Sedex Member Ethical Operations Audit (SMETA) to ensure that their operations comply with the requirements of relevant ethical standards. The audit results can be recognized and shared by all Sedex members. Therefore, suppliers who accept Sedex factory inspections can avoid many duplicate audits from customers. 

▲ Supporting buyers: The majority are British retailers, such as Tesco, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, The Body Shop, Waitrose, etc. 

Many Chinese enterprises have also started to implement SEDEX certification for their suppliers, and the certification covers aspects such as working hours and wages, as well as working conditions. 

Scope of application: All industries 

Summary of Key Issues in Argos Factory Inspection 

1) Company legality: Guests verify the legitimacy and safety of the company by reviewing documents such as the business license, tax registration certificate, and fire safety diagram. 

2) Child labor and underage workers: The company strictly prohibits the employment of children under the age of 16. It is allowed to hire underage workers aged between 16 and 18, but it is necessary to have the approval from government departments and take practical actions to ensure the physical and mental health of the underage workers. 

3) Discrimination: The company is not allowed to exhibit any form of discrimination in the recruitment and promotion of employees based on factors such as gender, race, age, or religion. The inspection team will typically review the personnel files of all current employees, as well as the personnel files and labor contracts of those who have left the company in the past six months. 

4) Working hours: The company must ensure that workers have rest time in accordance with local laws and regulations. Workers should have at least one day of rest per week, and the total working hours per week should not exceed 60 hours. 

5) Labor remuneration: Overtime work during regular hours and on statutory holidays should be compensated to employees at the rate stipulated by local laws. Moreover, the monthly salary must not be lower than the local minimum wage standard. Guests usually review the attendance records and salary payment records of the employees for the past 3 months or 12 months. 

Argos Quality Inspection Checklist 

01. Quality Manual / Quality Policy  Quality Manual / Quality Policy 

02. Procedure Documentation  Procedure File 

03. Process Flow Chart / Assembly Flow Chart  -  Process Flow Chart / Assembly Flow Chart 

04. Business / Factory Registration - Business License 

05. Organization Chart  Personnel Structure Chart 

06 ISO9000 / ISO14000 Certificate ISO9001 / ISO14001 Certificate 

07. Supplier/Subcontractor Assessment Procedure / Records  Supplier/Outsourcing Firm Evaluation Procedure / Records 

08. Orders Processing Procedure - Order Processing Procedure 

09. Raw Materials In/Out Record - Material Inventory Ledger 

10. Quality Control Instructions - Inspection Guidelines (Incoming Materials/Process/Finished Products) 

11. Defect Classification - Classification of Defects (Material/Finished Product) 

12. Production Plan & Daily Production Record - Production Plan and Daily Production Record 

13. Inspection Record (IQC / IPQC / FQC / OQC) - Inspection Report (Incoming Materials / Process / Finished Products) 

14. Tooling Test Record  -  Test Mold Record 

15. Pilot Sample Inspection Record - First Article Inspection Record 

16. Mass Production Authorization Documents - Production Notification Form 

17. Design & Development Procedure (verification, change) Design and development procedures (verification, modification, etc.) 

18. Corrective and Preventive Actions Procedure / Records  Corrective and Preventive Actions Procedure / Records 

19. Defective Product Evaluation Record - Unqualified Product Statistical Analysis Record 

20. Reliability Testing Procedure - Reliability Testing Procedure / Test Operating Instruction Manual 

21. Product Test Record  Product Testing Record (Qualification Test, Lifespan Test) 

22. Product Safety Standard (BS/EN)  Product Safety Standard (BS/EN) 

23. Calibration Certificate and Record of Measuring Equipment 计量仪器校验证书及记录 

24. Sharp Tools Control Procedure & Record - Control Procedure for Sharp Tools and Record of Broken Tips 

25. Sharp Tools Losing Investigation Procedure - The Procedure for Investigating the Loss of Sharp Tools 

26. Daily Issuance & Return of Sharp Tools Record - Record of Daily Handling and Return of Sharp Tools 

27. Training Plan & Record (QC / workers) Training Plan/ Record (Quality Control / Workers) 

28. QC Certification (Evaluation of Training Effectiveness) QC Qualification Certificate or Training Effectiveness Assessment 

29. Subcontracting Semi-product Inspection Record - Outsource Processing Inspection Record 

30. Non-conforming Material Record - Unqualified Product Record 

31. Rejected Lots Control Procedure & Record - Procedure and records for controlling不合格 products. 

32. Re-worked Lots Re-inspection Records - Non-conforming Product Re-inspection Records 

33. Machine & Equipment List  Machine and Equipment List 

34. Machine Repair & Maintenance Plan / Record (Daily/Cyclic Maintenance) 

35. Pest Control Procedure & Report - Pest Control Plan and Record 

36. Job Specifications - Position Responsibilities 

37. Factory Regulation - Factory Rules 

38. Employment Contract  Labor Contract 

39. Employee Record e.g. ID card, photo etc  Employee Record (such as entry registration form and copy of ID card, as well as photos) 

40. Working Record (e.g. time card etc.)  -  Work Record (e.g. time card, etc.) 

41. Wages Record - Wage Book 

42. Minimum Wage Notice Notice from the local labor bureau regarding the minimum wage