SLCP Signatory Model Changes

Written By SLCP Information

SLCP now has over 260 signatories from a broad range of caucuses. These signatories are a cornerstone of SLCP’s credibility as a multi-stakeholder initiative. Since SLCP’s launch in 2015, the Program has grown significantly—and with it, the signatory model has evolved. These proposed updates are designed to better support your role as a signatory and strengthen our collective work.  

To further promote equity, accountability, and transparency within the signatory caucus, SLCP is proposing updates to its signatory model. These proposed changes fall into four main categories: 

  • Fees 

  • Accountability rules 

  • Signatory Charter language 

  • By-laws 

SLCP is currently seeking feedback from signatories on these changes. Your feedback is important and will shape and inform final decisions. Once feedback is collected, the proposals will be reviewed by the Board for final approval before implementation (expected early July 2025).  

Accountability Rules 

Objective: These rules ensure that signatories remain engaged and accountable in the decision-making and feedback processes of SLCP. 

1. Voting Accountability Rule for SLCP Signatories  

Objective: To ensure active participation in critical decisions made by SLCP.  

Rule:  

i) SLCP signatories are required to actively participate in all critical votes, which include but are not limited to votes on Board elections, strategic directions, and other significant decisions that affect the direction of the Program.  

ii) A signatory who fails to cast a vote in two consecutive critical votes will be considered inactive in voting matters.  

iii) If a signatory is deemed inactive in voting for two consecutive critical votes, SLCP reserves the right to remove that signatory from the list of active signatories.    

2. Signatory Survey Participation Accountability Rules  

Objective: To ensure signatories are consistently providing valuable input and feedback.  

Rule:  

i) SLCP signatories are required to participate in the annual or periodic signatory survey cycles, which collect critical feedback and insights from signatories.  

ii) A signatory who fails to participate in three consecutive signatory survey cycles  will be considered non-compliant in their Charter duty.  

iii) If a signatory does not participate in three consecutive signatory survey cycles, SLCP reserves the right to remove that signatory from the list of active signatories.   

3. Complaint Leading to Removal Rule  

  • If SLCP receives a substantiated complaint or knowledge that a signatory is not accepting the CAF, promoting convergence and/or aligning with the Charter, SLCP reserves the right to remove that signatory from the list of active signatories.   

Signatory Charter Language  

Objective: This language ensures that accountability rules listed above are entrenched in the Signatory Charter.  

SLCP’s Signatories are held accountable to the SLCP Signatory Charter. In order to reflect more active engagement in SLCP’s Signatory caucuses, the following language would be added to the Charter 

  • Add to bullet (9) of Signatory Charter: 

  • Support SLCP’s multi-stakeholder governance and follow engagement rules as laid out in the SLCP Governance documents, including but not limited to actively participating in key decision-making processes by voting on critical matters and completing the Signatory Survey at least once every three cycles, if applicable, to maintain signatory status within SLCP.  

This change would also include clarifying the current removal disclosure text (additional text in red):  

  • SLCP’s Signatory Charter is a voluntary public commitment from our signatories. SLCP monitors the progress and adherence to the Charter commitments. SLCP reserves the right to remove signatories who are not complying with Charter principles and commitments. If a signatory would like to discuss their responsibilities to the Charter, or if you think a signatory is not adhering to the Charter, please contact info@slconvergence.org.   

Definition of the Civil Society caucus 

The current Civil Society definition in the SLCP Bylaws (v2.2) says: [Civil Society (NGOs, Trade Unions)].   

This would exclude academia and mission-driven non-profits other than NGOs (and MSIs, which are in a separate category). We propose to update the SLCP Bylaws to (additional text in red):  

  • Civil Society (NGOs, Trade Unions, academia, non-profit mission driven organizations). 

Fees  

Objective: to provide a more equitable pricing model for different SLCP signatory caucus groups.  

1. Reducing the Signatory fee for manufacturers. 

Rationale: To encourage increased manufacturer engagement - in particular smaller manufacturers – by removing a barrier to participation 

a) The one-time signatory sign-up fee for manufacturers would be reduced from $1,000-$2,000 to $200. 

2. Entrenching waiving the Signatory fee for Civil Society organizations 

Rationale: To encourage increased civil society participation and to recognize that fees can be prohibitive for non-profit organizations

a) SLCP will formalize a permanent fee waiver for civil society organizations and MSIs. 

3. Changing the fee structure for audit firms 

Rationale: The current obligation for audit firms to become a signatory in order to be a Verifier Body has led to an over-representation of audit firms in our signatory base. Differentiating between those who wish to engage fully as a signatory and those who wish to be just a Verifier Body provides more choice to audit firms about their level of participation.  

a) SLCP would remove the requirement for audit firms to be signatories to be a Verifier Body. $1000 USD fee would apply to be a Verifier Body. 

b) If audit firms want to be both an SLCP signatory and Verifier Body, the fee would increase to $2,500.  

Note: These changes apply only to new signatories. Existing audit firms that are Verifier Bodies may choose to discontinue signatory status while remaining a Verifier Body 

We welcome your feedback. You can do this by: 

  • Sending written comments by June 10, 2025 to camille@slconvergence.org with the subject line: SLCP Signatory Model Feedback. 

SLCP Information
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