Key Audit Deadlines for Chinese New Year 2025

Why is this happening?

The Ethical Supply Chain Program recognises that as the Chinese New Year approaches, most factories located in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Taiwan will temporarily pause production as they close for the festive period and many workers take holiday to celebrate with family in their hometowns.

To allow for this, we instruct our accredited firms to not conduct audits or Progress Visits in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan between January 13^th through to February 9^th, 2025 (2 weeks before and after Chinese New Year).

Please note: Audit and Progress Visits in other parts of the world will remain unaffected.

How can I prepare?

If you source in these regions, please be aware that production will pause and audits will not take place during this period. Take note of the dates below when planning orders and production timelines:

• Last date for audit/Progress Visit before Chinese New Year:  10th Jan 2025
• First date for audit/ Progress Visit after Chinese New Year:  10th Feb 2025

As a reminder, Initial Annual Audits (IAA) are conducted 2months after the completion of the application process*.

We encourage factories to pay attention to the expiry date of their certification and start the application process in advance, if not the certification might expire during the period in which we are not conducting audits.

*Completed application process means the registration has been verified by the Ethical Supply Chain Program and the factory has settled the audit fee to the assigned audit firm.

Should you have any questions, please contact us at (+852)2111-2462 or via info@ethicalsupplychain.org.