The SATRA Technical Compliance Scheme

Explaining details of this SATRA programme for the footwear industry and the benefits it brings to companies at every level of the global supply chain.

The SATRA Technical Compliance Scheme will enable a manufacturer to demonstrate that quality, management and the production environment are taken seriously, which is important for companies aspiring to supply brand owners and retailers. A Technical Compliance Scheme award will help producers to stand out from their competitors while providing prospective customers with a trusted scheme against which to benchmark and evaluate both existing and new suppliers, as well as helping to drive continuous improvement.

The evaluation is split into ten categories, covering the key technical aspects of manufacturing processes, as detailed in box 1. These include raw materials handling, cutting, closing, bottom stock preparation, assembly, packaging and warehousing. The assessment also evaluates the factory environment, such as health and safety and housekeeping throughout the facility.

Performance grades

The scheme has three grades of award performance, based on a simple rating score which can be seen in box 2. This system is designed to drive continuous improvement and companies may wish to build on the level of their award. The points-based scheme clearly highlights areas where improvements are required to be made and with which SATRA experts can provide assistance.

Benefits of the scheme

The SATRA Technical Compliance Scheme helps footwear manufacturers to recognise the processes which affect quality. As a result, they can ensure stable production methods and a safe working environment. This should help them to gain a competitive edge by showcasing their dedication to quality, allowing them to attract customers looking for suppliers of their products.

The scheme can also provide an important service to sourcing companies, brands and retailers. It will enable them – while using a trusted and independent third party – to evaluate and grade producers. As a result, customers can manage the quality of the products being purchased, while achieving the easy benchmarking of suppliers and producing ongoing advancement.

The SATRA brand is recognised worldwide, and this scheme compliments SATRA’s Laboratory Accreditation programme, which is an assurance of quality management for laboratories involved in conducting physical testing throughout the footwear and leather products supply chain.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 10 of the June 2025 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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