WRAP Three-Level Certification Policy 

There are three levels of WRAP certification – Platinum, Gold and Silver. The certificate issued to a facility is determined by the WRAP Review Board and depends on the extent to which the audit indicates full compliance and management commitment to the WRAP Principles.
 
“Platinum” level certification

· Valid for two years.
· Facility must demonstrate full compliance with all WRAP principles for three consecutive years.
· Successfully pass each audit with no corrective actions.
· Facility must maintain continuous certification to qualify for the “Platinum” level certificate; i.e. should have no gaps between successive certifications.
· The facility remains subject to an unannounced audit during its certification period.

“Gold” level certification –

· Valid for one year.
· It is awarded to a facility that has demonstrated full compliance with all WRAP principles.

“Silver” level certification –

· Valid for 6 months, and can result under two circumstances

1. A facility may request a silver level certification if an audit finds that it is in substantial compliance with the WRAP principles, but has minor non-compliances in policies, procedures or training that need to be addressed. Important points to note in this regard are:

o Facilities may not have any “red flag” non-compliances such as child labor, egregious health & safety or environmental issues, prison labor, forced labor or involuntary labor, or harassment or abuse of employees.
o Facilities must demonstrate that employees are paid the legal minimum wage and any required overtime compensation.
o Qualifying facilities must request a six-month certification from the WRAP office, in writing, at the conclusion of their first formal audit. Six-month certificates will not be automatically issued.
o The certificate awarded to the facility will specify which WRAP principle requires corrective action.

2. Alternatively, the WRAP Review Board may issue a silver level certificate if any of the following criteria are met:

o The facility is a first-time applicant and has demonstrated difficulty in achieving full compliance, or has shown non-material non-compliances in the areas of working hours, training and communication with employees, and/or payment of regular wages and overtime premiums, or demonstrates such risk factors as to not warrant a full, one-year certificate.

o The facility is applying for a re-certification, but non-material non-compliances are found during the audit.
o Facilities that have two successive ‘clean’ audits will be eligible for the regular one-year certificate (WRAP Gold level certification).

· All facilities that are awarded a silver level certificate must reapply prior to the expiration of their six-month certificate and pay a reduced registration fee of US$895.
· At the subsequent audit, the factory must demonstrate improvement toward achieving full compliance at the “Gold” certificate level.
· A facility may be awarded a six-month certificate for no more than three consecutive periods (maximum of 18 months). If the facility fails to achieve full compliance, they must wait for a six-month period and then reapply using their original identification number.