Social Compliance Auditing: A Broken Eco-System by Colleen Vien
By CSR Talent Group Expert Colleen Vien
Social Compliance Auditing: A Broken Eco-System by Colleen Vien sheds light on the systemic flaws within social compliance auditing, a system designed to protect workers’ rights across global supply chains. Despite significant investments, audits often fail due to errors, corruption, and a “check-the-box” mentality that prioritizes efficiency over depth. Vien critically examines the roles of stakeholders — brands, auditors, manufacturers, and workers — revealing how cost pressures, conflicts of interest, and lack of transparency undermine the system. Drawing on her extensive experience in corporate social responsibility, including leadership roles at Timberland, APSCA, and other industry initiatives, Vien offers an informed and credible perspective. She advocates for systemic reforms, emphasizing a worker-centric approach, independent audits, and alignment of industry protocols to create a more effective, ethical, and just system.
