FAQs combined Final

1Question If my factory scored green at 88 %, do I still have to make improvements?

1Answer Yes, the factory should continue to make improvements.

2Question No one told me I had to reduce the number of working hours each year, just that I had to make improvements and show the true records. I don't have enough workers to reduce the hours. What else can I do?

2Answer Please contact Simon Lam at DGGS for recommendations.

3Question If my factory has a CAP and has to be reaudited within 90 days, will that reaudit be unannounced?

3Answer Yes, the reaudit will be unannounced within that 90 day period.

4Question What happens if my factory is not ready when the auditor arrives and doesn't let the auditor in?

4Answer Unless the workers are not present, the audit must be conducted. Denied access violations will result in the factory paying for the missed audit and possibly loss of business.

5Question Will Dollar General pay for the audit if the factory scores green, at least 85%?

5Answer If Dollar General instructed the audit company through Clear Track to conduct the audit and the resulting score is green (minimum of 85%) we will pay for the audit.

6Question You announced the new audit rules will be applied staring 1 November for unannounced audits. What if I have already confirmed a booking for the audit for Nov 15?

6Answer The audit companies have been instructed on how to handle bookings for November and forward. Please contact Simon Lam at DGGS or DGCompliance@https://www.docsj.com/doc/139894479.html, if you have specific issues.

7Question My factory audit expires June 15, 2014. Can you give me some idea of when the auditor will come to the factory?

7Answer Dollar General requires the reaudit to be conducted around 60 days prior to the expiry date. The audit will be done prior to the expiry and most likely within that window.

8Question My factory doesn't keep all of the records at the factory so I have to know the audit date so I can get the records back. What can you do to help me?

8Answer12 months of records must be kept in the factory. If you need to send the records to someone else in your organization, please use copies for that purpose.

9Question My factory expanded last year and now doesn't have enough emergency exits. We are working to add an additional exit but can we ship our PO while we build the exit?

9Answer Starting 1 January a factory is given 30 days to correct fire safety violations but may continue to ship during the

30 day period.

10Question Can I count the windows as emergency exits?

10Answer To receive an answer to a technical question based on factory specifics, please contact either of the 3rd party audit companies.

11Question I got the order late and the workers had a lot of over time hours to make the ship date. How long do I have to reduce the hours?

11Answer While we understand the various pressures, the factory management must find a way to make the operation more efficient or hire more workers.

12Question What are you basing the working hours on?

12Answer The goal for working hours is to stay within the legal requirements for the country. As long as the factory works on continuous improvement and shows the real records, Dollar General will work with the factory.

13Question Sometimes the audit is conducted by Intertek and other times by Elevate. Can I pick which audit company does the audit at my factory?

13Answer You cannot choose the audit company. Dollar General assigns the audit company and the assignment can be seen in Clear Track.

14Question Will you still accept WCA audits conducted for other retailers?

14Answer We will accept the WCA initial audits conducted for other retailers through the Intertek system. We will not accept reaudits or recertification audits unless they were performed unannounced.

15Question How can I find out what the two fire safety critical questions are?

15Answer They are listed below and will soon be posted in the vendor manual.

16

16Answer No, not at this time.

17Question Do toy factories have to be ICTI certified?

17Answer It is not required but strongly recommended.

18Question I have all of the factories preaudited by your 3rd party and then I share the results with Dollar General. Can I still do that?

18Answer Preaudits are for your benefit. Dollar General assigns the audit company through Clear Track and that is all we accept.

19Question I want to use a factory in Bangladesh to bid on some shirts. Do the same requirements apply in all counties?

19Answer Due to recent disasters in garment factories in Bangladesh, there are additional requirements in that country.

Please contact DGCompliance@https://www.docsj.com/doc/139894479.html, for updates.

20Question Are you still using Level Works and Intertek to conduct WCA audits?

20Answer Level Works new name is Elevate. We will use Intertek and Elevate, depending on the country of origin.

21Question Other retailers that I work with have a longer certification period, not just a one year certification. Is Dollar General considering that?

21Answer Dollar General constantly benchmarks the CSR program against industry standards. There will be announcements if other changes are made in the future.

22Question Does the minimum score have to be above 50 or is it higher with the new program?

22Answer The minimum score remains at 51.

23Question I sometimes give the auditor a small amount of money for lunch but I heard that a factory got in big trouble for that. Is that true - it was only a little bit of money.

23Answer The third party audit companies employed by Dollar General prohibit the auditors from taking any money. It is also against Dollar General policy. Do not give any money to the auditors.

24Question I had an auditor who was very rude and asked for money to pass the factory audit. I was afraid not to pay. What should I do if that happens again?

24Answer You are given a letter at the opening meeting that contains contact information to be used if the auditor asks for

a bribe. Use that contact information and follow up with an email to Nancy Parks (nparks@https://www.docsj.com/doc/139894479.html,).

Do not give the auditor money.