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Germany: ALDI global supply chain compliance system construction and factory inspection standard implementation

Discount Retail Chain ALDI implements, as the world's leading affordable retail giant, full-dimensional, high-standard, and strongly executed factory inspection audits for suppliers, which is a hard threshold for entering its supply chain, and the audit results directly determine the qualifications and order size.


ALDI's factory inspection is an important and rigorous part of entering its global supply chain system. It is not just a simple audit, but a systematic assessment of its suppliers in terms of social responsibility, product quality, production safety and environmental management.


The core type and standard basis of factory inspection

1. Social Audit

  • Core standards: ALDI's own "ALS" standard is mainly adopted, which is highly similar to the internationally accepted amfori BSCI (Business Social Responsibility Initiative) and incorporates ALDI's own requirements. SEDEX (SMETA) may also be used in some countries or regions.

  • Review focus:

    • Labor rights: prohibition of child labor, forced labor, and discrimination; Guarantee freedom of association; Working hours and overtime pay comply with the law; Wages and benefits are paid on time and in full.

    • Health and safety: fire protection facilities, safety exits, machine protection, chemical management, occupational disease protection, dormitory canteen safety, etc.

    • Management system: document records, worker interviews, complaint mechanisms, etc.


2. Quality Audit

  • Core standards: Usually based on IFS (International Characteristic Standard) Food, which is recognized as one of the top quality standards in the global food industry. For non-food products, other standards similar to GFSI approval or ALDI's own quality system may be used.

  • Review focus:

    • Quality management system: HACCP plan, document control, traceability system.

    • Product control: raw material acceptance, production process control, finished product inspection, laboratory testing.

    • Factory environment and hygiene: hygiene standard operating procedures, cleaning and disinfection, pest control, and personal hygiene of employees.


3. Security Audit

  • Core standards: Common are GSV (Global Security Validation) or C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Counter-Terrorism Partnership Program) standards, especially for suppliers exporting to the US market.

  • Review focus:

    • Physical security: fences, gates, locks, surveillance.

    • Access control: personnel and vehicle entry and exit management.

    • Procedure safety: sealing and monitoring during cargo handling, storage, and transportation.

    • Information security: file and computer data security.


Factory inspection preparation core list

Documents (ensure complete and authentic)

  • Qualifications: business license, fire inspection, environmental assessment/pollutant discharge permit.

  • Personnel: employee roster, labor contract, true attendance and salary records in the past 12 months, social security certificate.

  • Safety: special equipment test report, employee occupational health examination report, safety training/fire drill record.

  • Quality: Quality manual, HACCP plan (food), complete inspection records (incoming materials/processes/finished products).


On-site management (to ensure at a glance)

  • Fire protection: The safety exit is absolutely unblocked, and the emergency light/fire extinguisher is intact and effective.

  • Production: The workshop is tidy, the equipment is protected, and the unqualified products are clearly isolated.

  • Warehousing: material partitioning, clear labeling, and safe storage in the chemical area.

  • Facilities: Canteen/dormitory hygiene and safety, first aid kit in good condition, drinking/handwashing facilities sufficient.




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