Bangladesh Factory Compliance: What Really Matters for EU & US Buyers in 2026

Compliance in plain English (for buyers)

In sourcing, compliance means a factory can prove—on paper and in practice—that it meets buyer-required standards for workplace safety, labor practices, and (increasingly) traceability and environmental controls. Think of it as your “risk baseline” before sampling, booking capacity, or placing a PO.

In practice: what you should ask for (before sending an RFQ)

• Factory profile: legal name, address, ownership, and production scope (no subcontracting surprises).
• Recent audit summary (if available): scope + date + key findings + corrective action status.
• Buyer compliance pack: HR policies, wage/working-hours controls, grievance mechanism, age verification process.
• Site photos/videos that match the claims: production lines, safety signage, evacuation routes, compliance boards.
• Capability proof: similar product references (woven/denim), machinery list, QC checkpoints, inline/final inspection flow.

Next, we’ll map these checks to what EU & US buyers typically require in 2026—and how to avoid slow, expensive re-check cycles.

EU & US buyer requirements in 2026 (what changes your checks)

In 2026, most serious buyers treat “compliance” as ongoing due diligence, not a one-time audit file. That means they’ll look for clear documents, traceability signals, and proof you control subcontracting—especially for woven and denim programs.

Fast win: build a “Buyer Compliance Pack” once

• Factory profile + production scope (and what is not done in-house)
• Audit summary (if available) + corrective action status
• HR policies + working-hours/wage control explanation
• Subcontracting policy + approval workflow
• Traceability basics: key suppliers for fabric/trims + process map (high level)
• QC flow: inline/final checkpoints + AQL approach (if you use one)

Certifications & audits buyers recognize (what they mean)

Buyers often ask for “certificates” as shorthand for risk control—but not all standards mean the same thing. The safest approach is to treat every claim as verifiable documentation (scope, site name, dates, and issuing body), not as a marketing badge.

If you have specific requirements (e.g., GOTS/GRS/OEKO-TEX), share them in your RFQ. I’ll only shortlist factories that can provide valid, current proof matching your scope.

Factory pre-check checklist (documents + verification)

This checklist is designed for fast, buyer-safe screening. It helps you confirm a factory’s identity, scope, control of subcontracting, and proof of compliance—before you spend time on sampling or booking production capacity.

A) Identity & production scope (non-negotiable)

• Legal factory name + address (must match documents and the production site you’ll use)
• Ownership/management contact + official email domain (avoid mismatched identities)
• Production scope statement: what is done in-house vs what is outsourced
• Subcontracting policy: whether allowed, and how approvals and visibility are controlled
• Machinery + lines overview (for your product category: woven/denim)

B) Social compliance & workplace controls (evidence-based)

• Most recent audit summary (if available): scope + date + key findings + corrective action status
• HR policy pack: working hours, wages, contracts, grievance mechanism, age verification process
• Training & safety evidence: drills, safety committee records, signage photos, and basic safety controls
• Worker documentation consistency: processes that prevent “paper-only compliance”

C) Technical capability & quality system (can they execute your spec?)

• Similar product proof: recent woven/denim styles comparable in construction and finish
• QC flow: inline + endline + final inspection checkpoints (who signs off, what records exist)
• Measurement + shade control approach (especially important for denim and piece-dyed woven)
• Testing plan: which tests are done in-house vs third-party (based on buyer requirements)
• Sample readiness: pattern, sampling timeline, and clear communication process

D) Traceability & supply chain clarity (reduce hidden risk)

• Key suppliers list (high level): fabric/trims sources and any critical processes
• Process map: where each step happens (cut/sew, embroidery, printing, washing, finishing, packing)
• Subcontractor approvals (if any): names, locations, and how the factory manages visibility
• Consistency check: documents, addresses, and process story all match

Next, we’ll translate this into a simple “verify or pause” decision rule—then cover the red flags buyers should never ignore.

Red flags (common pitfalls buyers miss)

These red flags don’t always mean “bad factory”—but they do mean you should pause, verify, and avoid moving to sampling/booking until the story and documents match.

How Antor pre-screens factories (process + expectations)

My goal is simple: help you move fast without taking unnecessary compliance risk. I pre-screen factories with an evidence-first approach (documents + scope + consistency), then align capability to your product (woven/denim), MOQ, target price, and lead time.

FAQs

1) What should I request first to screen a factory for compliance?

Start with a basic compliance pack: site legal name/address, production scope (in-house vs outsourced), latest audit/certificate summaries (if available), HR policies (working hours, wages, age verification), and a short process map. If the site identity and scope don’t match, pause early.

2) What’s the difference between BSCI, SMETA, and WRAP?

They’re social compliance audit frameworks used by different buyer ecosystems. Buyers use them as a baseline signal—not a full guarantee. What matters most is: site coverage, validity dates, scope, and whether corrective actions were closed with evidence.

3) Does OEKO-TEX Standard 100 mean the factory is “sustainable”?

Not exactly. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is mainly used as a product safety / harmful substances confidence signal for materials/components within a defined scope. It doesn’t replace labor audits, building safety documentation, or environmental permits—so treat it as one piece of the puzzle.

4) How do I reduce subcontracting risk?

Ask for a simple process map showing where each step happens (cut/sew, printing, embroidery, washing, finishing). If any step is outsourced, request the subcontractor name/location and the approval/visibility process. If the story changes over time, pause and verify.

5) What if a factory has no recent audit report?

You can still screen them—but you need stronger evidence: site identity docs, HR policies/records, facility visuals, controlled subcontracting policy, and clear capability proof. Many buyers will require a third-party audit later, so plan that into your timeline if the brand mandates it.

6) How long should compliance screening take before sampling?

For a first-pass screen, aim for 2–5 working days if the factory can share documents quickly. If documents are incomplete or scope is complex (multiple sites, outsourced processes), screening takes longer—so it’s better to verify early than fix issues after sampling starts.

7) For denim, what changes if washing/finishing is involved?

If your denim includes washing/finishing, you must confirm where it happens (in-house vs approved partner) and ensure the scope is documented. Ask for a clear process map and basic chemical management controls relevant to that scope. If it’s cut & sew only, the process map should show no wet processing in the factory scope.

8) What minimum details should I include in an RFQ to get accurate pricing?

At minimum: product type (woven/denim), fabric spec (composition, GSM/oz, weave), construction details, target quantity per color/style, target delivery window, and destination market. Add compliance requirements (e.g., BSCI/SMETA/OEKO-TEX/GOTS/GRS) so the shortlist matches your internal approval scope.

9) How can my team verify certificates quickly?

Ask for the PDF (not a screenshot), confirm validity dates, match the site name/address, and check the scope covers your processes/materials. When an official database exists, use the certificate number and issuing body to validate.

10) Can you support “concept to delivery” programs?

Yes—when you share your scope clearly. The key is alignment: product category (woven/denim), target MOQ, lead time, and required standards. From there, the process is: requirement intake → proof-based screening → capability match → sampling plan → production readiness.

Next step: Send your RFQ (denim / woven / outerwear)