01Audit
SMETA / Sedex
SMETA is used by many retailers to review responsible business practices across labour standards, health and safety, environmental performance and business ethics.
Quality & Technical
Technical control from the start.
Specifications, testing, packaging and QC expectations need to be considered early. Rica Design helps build these checks into the development process before production begins.
Audit & Sourcing
Audit, sourcing and compliance checks.
Rica Design looks beyond product specification alone. Supplier suitability, ethical trade audits, responsible material sourcing and ongoing compliance checks all form part of how we assess whether a product route is suitable for retail customers.
02Audit
amfori BSCI
Where required by customers, amfori BSCI helps support social compliance monitoring and improvement across supply chains.
03Audit
FSC
For timber, board, paper and packaging routes, FSC certification supports responsible sourcing and traceability expectations.
04Audit
Quarterly Rica Design compliance reviews
Rica Design carries out quarterly supplier and compliance reviews covering documentation, audit status, product readiness, testing, quality issues and corrective actions.
05Audit
Documentation control
We help keep key documents visible across the development process, including audit reports, FSC records, test reports, specifications, packaging details and customer approval information.
06Audit
Corrective action follow-up
Where issues are identified, they are tracked through a clear CAP process so actions, evidence and follow-up are not lost.
01Standard
Retailer Requirements
We work in the language of retail — customer manuals, intake protocols, vendor systems and seasonal critical paths.
02Standard
Product Safety Thinking
Safety considerations are part of the brief, not a final-stage check — built into design from the first concept.
03Standard
Testing Awareness
Familiarity with the relevant standards across upholstery, beds, bedroom, dining and case goods, and how to plan for them.
04Standard
Minimum Make Standards
Clear construction expectations across categories so factories build to a consistent, retail-grade level.
05Standard
Pre-Production Governance
Approval gates that catch issues before mass production — protecting timelines, margin and reputation.
06Standard
Customer System Support
Help with vendor portals, technical packs, packaging artwork, barcoding and intake documentation.
07Standard
QC & Inspection Support
In-line and pre-shipment quality checks, AQL guidance and third-party inspection coordination.
08Standard
Corrective Action Planning (CAP)
Structured CAP process when issues arise — root cause, fix, verification and prevention into next production.
09Standard
Continuous Improvement
Performance and returns data feeds the next development cycle, so quality compounds season after season.
10Standard
Audit & Certification Readiness
Visibility of SMETA, amfori BSCI, FSC and other customer-required audit or sourcing documents where relevant.