# Social+ OBP Component Standard (Ocean Bound Plastic) - Certification body: ETKO Ecological Agriculture Control Organization - Category: Plastic Certification - Canonical page: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/plastic/social-obp-bilesen-standardi-ocean-bound-plastic - Markdown: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/plastic/social-obp-bilesen-standardi-ocean-bound-plastic.md ## Summary The Social+ OBP Component Standard is an international certification that ensures the welfare, fair compensation, and child protection of ocean-bound plastic… ## Does ETKO provide Social+ OBP Component Standard (Ocean Bound Plastic) certification? Yes. ETKO (Ecological Agriculture Control Organization) offers Social+ OBP Component Standard (Ocean Bound Plastic) certification as part of its Plastic Certification program. This page describes the standard, how to apply, and related documents. ## What is Social+ OBP Component Standard (Ocean Bound Plastic)? The Social+ OBP Component Standard is an international certification that ensures the welfare, fair compensation, and child protection of ocean-bound plastic… ## Details # **What is the Social+ OBP Component Standard?** Integrated into the Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) Certification Program by Zero Plastic Oceans (ZPO), the **Social+ OBP Component** is an innovative standard focusing on the "human" factor in the plastic waste collection process. It is applied as an add-on module to the OBP Collection Organization and OBP Neutrality Services Provider standards. Its primary goal is to improve the living and working conditions of independent waste collectors—who predominantly work in the informal sector—protect them from exploitation, and help integrate them into the formal societal system. It is designed for organizations that do not just want to protect the environment, but also aim to build a fair, inclusive, and ethical circular economy. ## **Key Technical Criteria of the Social+ OBP Standard** Going beyond traditional environmental audits, this standard establishes robust social mechanisms that directly benefit waste-picking communities. The technical framework can be summarized as follows: - **Independent Collector (IC) Community Manager:** The organization must appoint a dedicated "IC Community Manager" to serve as the primary point of contact between the collectors and the organization, advocating for their rights and addressing their specific needs. - **Child Protection:** There is absolute zero tolerance for child labor. However, the standard goes further by mandating that concrete remedial and preventive solutions be provided to keep children out of work and actively support their access to education and childcare facilities. - **Occupational Health, Safety, and Empowerment:** Occupational risks faced by collectors must be carefully assessed, and adequate personal protective equipment alongside OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) training must be provided to mitigate these risks. - Additionally, actionable empowerment workshops must be organized to support collectors with administrative, financial, and legal tasks (guiding them toward formalization and legal recognition). - **Fair Compensation and Price Premiums:** It is mandatory to provide collectors with fair, timely payments and additional "price premiums" that elevate their standard of living beyond basic market rates. For the organization's own formal employees, full compliance with the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) base code is required. ## **Why Choose Social+ OBP Certification with ETKO?** Environmental protection and social justice are now inseparable concepts. Brands in the global market want to prove that their supply chains are not only "green" but also "humane and fair." Obtaining the Social+ OBP Certificate through ETKO’s international expertise in social compliance and environmental auditing transparently proves to the world that your projects do not merely clean the oceans, but actively fight poverty and positively impact human lives. This prestigious label elevates your brand and collection organization to the absolute highest ethical standards in the industry. ## How do I apply for Social+ OBP Component Standard (Ocean Bound Plastic) certification with ETKO? Apply through the ETKO Ecoport portal: https://ecoport.etko.com.tr/apply ## Application Process At ETKO, we manage your application process transparently, quickly, and clearly. Our process consists of the following steps: 1. **Application and Information Exchange** — We gather preliminary information about your company's structure and production processes. 2. **Proposal and Contract** — We present a detailed proposal for the inspection process and sign a contract upon your approval. 3. **Pre-Audit Preparation** — This is the process of preparing the necessary documentation (chemical inventory, social compliance documents, etc.). 4. **On-Site Audit** — Expert ETKO auditors visit your facility and examine your compliance with the criteria on-site. 5. **Reporting and Certification** — After non-conformities are resolved (if any), the audit report is approved and your certificate is issued. ## Accreditations - GOTS: International Organic Accreditation Service - accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - National Organic Program (NOP): United States Department of Agriculture — NOP accredited certifying agent. - TR Organik & GLOBALGAP & İTU: Turkish Accreditation Agency (TURKAK) — Turkey's national accreditation body for conformity assessment. - COSMOS: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - Textile Exchange Standards: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - ISO/IEC 17065:2012: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. ## Countries of operation Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ukraine, Korea, China, Denmark, Germany, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Romania, Sweden, Bulgaria, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar ## Where can I find Social+ OBP Component Standard (Ocean Bound Plastic) regulations and forms? ETKO's document center lists regulations, application forms, and current guidelines for this standard: https://ecoport.etko.com.tr/apply ## Related pages - HTML: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/plastic/social-obp-bilesen-standardi-ocean-bound-plastic - About ETKO: https://www.etko.com.tr/about - Contact: https://www.etko.com.tr/contact - Document center: https://www.etko.com.tr/documents?category=plastic&standard=social-obp-bilesen-standardi-ocean-bound-plastic