From an SLCP expert: New upgrades that incentivize high-quality data and strong Verifier performance
- Giulia Iemmolo, Data Quality & Integrity Manager at SLCP
The SLCP Data Quality and Integrity (DQI) Program has undergone a significant transformation over the last few years. While our foundation has always been built on credible and actionable data, we remain committed to the continuous evolution of quality assurance at SLCP.
To guide this process, we collected a wealth of feedback from brands, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to help prioritize our improvements. The result is a suite of interconnected upgrades designed to improve the accuracy, quality and integrity of SLCP Verifier Bodies and Verifiers.
I am incredibly proud to finally see the culmination of this effort – the new Verifier Body (VB) Selection Model – launched this week. Supported by an enhanced scoring system, these two elements work together to strengthen the quality, integrity, and credibility of SLCP data.
What’s changing?
In the past, facilities were able to pick a VB from a full list with limited visibility or guidance on VB performance. We heard from brands and manufacturers alike that they wanted more transparency and a way to ensure they were choosing to work with Verifiers who were committed to providing high quality reports.
The new scoring system and VB Selection Model shifts the focus toward VB accountability and continuous improvement. We want to empower facilities to be the owners of their data by giving them the information to make informed, performance-driven choices. At the same time, brands are now equipped with the insights into VB performance through our public list of active VBs, and can encourage facilities to make quality-based decisions.
SLCP Verifier Body Bureau Veritas agrees the new VB Selection Model “represents a meaningful advancement in SLCP's quality framework.”
Launched on 1 April 2026, the new Selection Model ensures that when a facility selects a VB, they will see a limited list based on quality, with the individual VB scores visible.
Bureau Veritas added it “supports performance-based selection as it promotes transparency, drives Verifier excellence, and empowers facilities to make informed choices. This initiative reinforces our shared commitment to credible, consistent verification that truly serves workers and supply chain stakeholders.”
“...it promotes transparency, drives Verifier excellence, and empowers facilities to make informed choices. ”
How does VB scoring influence VB selection?
VBs and Verifiers are scored between 0 and 5, with 5 being highest. VB scores are made by combining scores from three critical areas:
Management Systems Checks: Ensuring VBs have robust internal policies.
Verifier Scores: A weighted average of individual Verifier performance scores.
Issue-to-Verification Ratio: How often quality issues are identified in verifications.
High-performing VBs with a score of 4 and above are always visible on the VB selection list for facilities, while medium-performing VBs have a reduced chance of appearing in the list, and low-performing the lowest chance. This naturally incentivizes VBs to invest in training Verifiers for accurate and high-quality SLCP verification reports, and ensuring internal policies align with SLCP’s standards.
“The new VB Selection Model is a tool for driving accountability, rather than a penalty mechanism.”
On the new Selection Model and scoring system, SLCP Verifier Body SGS says, “The new VB Selection Model is a tool for driving accountability, rather than a penalty mechanism. By anchoring VB visibility and selection to a dynamic quality score, SLCP is injecting next-level data integrity and independence into the process. This isn't just about oversight – it’s a market-driven incentive, where quality is the currency. For facilities and brands, this transforms the verified assessment into an even higher-integrity asset backed by proven performance, not just execution.”
Reducing bias and creating a competitive system
In addition to the scores, we’ve also introduced a VB rotation requirement. Facilities can no longer use the same VB for two consecutive years. This is a game-changer for reducing bias and preventing conflicts of interest.
These changes increase trust in SLCP assessments. We are rewarding high performance and ensuring transparency, but we are also strengthening the integrity of the entire SLCP verification process.
And it’s not just SLCP facilities who benefit from these updates. The VBs themselves will see greater reward for high performance, and emphasis on high scores maintains a healthy industry competitiveness.
SLCP Verifier Body PDCA sees the new VB Selection Model as “a positive development, particularly in terms of transparency, performance-based differentiation, and independence safeguards. The introduction of a public VB performance framework will strengthen accountability and drive quality improvements.”
“...it is essential that brands fully respect facility ownership of VB selection and avoid restricting choices to predefined lists.”
PDCA makes an important distinction on the role of brands – that they must not mandate which VB conducts a facility's verification. “For the model to function effectively, it is essential that brands fully respect facility ownership of VB selection and avoid restricting choices to predefined lists. Encouraging selection based on VB performance is a more constructive approach that supports a competitive, quality-driven ecosystem,” they said.
A milestone, but not the finish line
It is a proud moment for me to finally launch the enhancements to the VB selection process. They are the result of a deeply collaborative process, and I am grateful for the feedback, especially from SLCP Verifier Bodies, that helped us develop and refine this upgrade.
SLCP’s Data Quality and Integrity Program only continues to evolve – our next enhancements launching in June will help to ensure greater accuracy of finalized reports, with improved automated data quality checks. Keep your eye on SLCP’s innovative data quality solutions!
Giulia has over 10 years of experience in project management and social management systems. She manages SLCP’s Data Quality and Integrity Program and process development, ensuring that SLCP data remains trusted, credible and actionable.
