Briefing Paper
BSCI RANDOM UNANNOUNCED CHECK (RUC) BRIEFING
What are RUCs?
Random Unannounced Checks (RUCs) are unannounced full audits designed aiming at
consolidating sustainable improvements of auditees that have reached a satisfactory degree
of maturity in their social performance. In addition, Indirectly, RUCs can also serve to
identify potential integrity issues related to auditing practices and are therefore part of the
BSCI Integrity Programme. Producers are randomly selected by the BSCI secretariat and
assigned to an accredited auditing company to receive a RUC.
What are the benefits?
RUCs reinforce the intrinsic value of BSCI audits and incentivise producers to maintain good
labour conditions. Adding RUCs as an additional level to the audit cycle is beneficial to both
participants and producers as it means that their rating stands up to scrutiny. By doing so,
we can work together to ensure that producers don’t just maintain compliance for the initial
scheduled full audit, but on an ongoing basis. As the BSCI insists on scrupulous auditing
quality standards and strives to make the integrity and trustworthiness of its audits
watertight, RUCs also help to detect audit quality issues.
How do RUCs work?
Auditors use the BSCI audit report to evaluate a factory or farm. Depending on the result,
the audit cycle will be affected as follows:
 If the producer’s RUC rating upgraded or holds compared to previous rating: A new
audit cycle will start, allowing them another full validity cycle.

If the RUC reveals lower rating: If the RUC rating is below B a follow up audit will take
place no later than 12 months after the completion of the RUC.
 If the producer refuses the RUC or the audit could not take place in full, the BSCI
participant(s) will receive notification of the RUC Access Denied/ Aborted. BSCI
Participant(s) must evaluate the risk and BSCI’s recommendation of next audit to be
fully unannounced.
The RUC also oversees auditors’ performance. If there are questions about the validity of
findings, the BSCI secretariat will take steps to determine if the auditing company needs to
be cited for quality issues.
Who Can Order a RUC?
The FTA secretariat randomly selects producers to receive a RUC. On occasion a RUC can be
scheduled in response to producers for which a problem has been indicated to the FTA
secretariat. Not all indicated problems will necessarily be subject to a RUC. BSCI participants
are not entitled to request a RUC.
Updated on 29 March 2016
For further information, FTA Member Relations: [email protected]
Related Resources
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BSCI Audit Integrity Programme
BSCI Quality Control (QC) Audits