Assurance System
How the Green Button is Audited
Green Button Audits and Their Comparability
The Green Button stands for credible and independent auditing of its standard. To be certified, companies must demonstrate that they take responsibility for human rights and the environment in their supply chains. But how do we ensure that Green Button audits are impartial and reliable? This is where the comprehensive auditing system comes into play.
The Green Button is audited based on procedures established in the certification program. As per the program, independent certification bodies verify whether a company meets the Green Button's requirements for corporate due diligence processes. The Green Button uses four certification bodies, all of whom are currently recognized by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) - Control Union, DINCertco, Hohenstein Laboratories, and TÜV Nord. The auditors are regularly monitored to ensure that the audits are reliable and independent.
Green Button Audits for Brands
The Green Button certification program sets clear requirements for a transparent auditing process.
Before a brand is audited against the Green Button standard, all relevant company documents are reviewed to understand how the company fulfills its due diligence obligations. Subsequently, open questions are clarified, and the details of the due diligence system are examined. This takes place in person, usually at the company's headquarters. After the audit, the company receives a detailed report summarizing their results for each indicator of the Green Button Standard. If there are indicators where the company does not meet the Green Button Standard, the company must rectify them and possibly undergo a re-audit before it can receive the Green Button certification.
Once received, the Green Button certificate is valid for three years. Under these three years, annual surveillance audits are conducted and must be passed. Upon expiration, the company must undergo a comprehensive re-certification. This ensures that the company continuously implements its responsible conduct.
Ensuring Conformity of Audits
The work of the four certification bodies is closely monitored to ensure that the Green Button audits at companies are consistent and comparable. The Green Button uses three control mechanisms for this: qualification, national accreditation, and the integrity program.
Qualification
Qualification
To audit for the Green Button, auditors must first attain qualification by successfully completing a Green Button training program. Only auditors with experience in areas relevant to corporate due diligence processes are admitted to the program.
The program includes an approximately eight-hour self-paced online training followed by a five-day Green Button training. This training is concluded with a final test. Upon passing the test, auditors receive permission to audit for the Green Button. This ensures that only auditors who understand the concept of corporate due diligence in the textile sector, and have successfully applied it in practice exercises, can audit for the Green Button.
Once successfully qualified, auditors participate in up to four sessions per year to stay informed and continuously trained on current developments of the Green Button. This promotes conform and up-to-date application of the Green Button standard across audits. For new standard versions, there is a conversion training that active auditors must successfully complete.
National Accreditation
National Accreditation
All certification bodies used by the Green Button standard must apply for accreditation - an official recognition - from the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS). Currently, four certification bodies are accredited for the Green Button: Control Union, DINCertco, Hohenstein Laboratories, and TÜV Nord. The DAkkS is tasked by the German government with comprehensive evaluation and approval of auditing organization. As the auditor of certification bodies, it ensures that the certification bodies working for the Green Button operate impartially and provide reliable results. This assures consumers that the audit results are comparable and trustworthy regardless of which body conducts the company audits.
Integrity Program
Integrity Program
Green Button audits are regularly monitored and audit reports analyzed. This helps us to ensure that the auditors correctly understand the Green Button standard and follow the procedures described in the certification program. Comprehensive feedback is given to the audit personnel individually to encourage continuous improvements. In case of recurring errors in audits or persistent lack of understanding of the Green Button standard, individual auditors can have their permission revoked.
These regular insights into the practical realities of audit practices mean that the application of the standard is closely monitored – the basis for a label of integrity.
Complaints Procedure
The Green Button hosts a complaints procedure where tips regarding the Green Button can be reported – these are carefully reviewed and may lead to measures for the affected parties.
Central Documents for Download
The Green Button standard
All documents can be downloaded here as a bundled folder. This includes the relevant documents for the Green Button 1.0 standard as well as for the Green Button 2.0.
The Green Button Certification Programme
The Green Button Certification Programme
This document forms the normative basis for the Green Button audit system.
Green Button Information Package
Green Button Information Package
We have compiled all the relevant details about the certification label, the requirements, our communication measures and the costs in this comprehensive information package.