U.S. Due Diligence in Responsible Sourcing

A smarter standard for responsible hiring practices

U.S. employers must confirm every worker’s age and work eligibility no later than the worker’s start date by completing the federal I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification process. Because of increased sophistication of fraudulent documentation and use of misappropriated documents, it has become more challenging to detect unlawfully underage workers or ineligible hires.  Under applicable federal law, an employer may face liability even when the I-9 process is followed.

To mitigate this risk, companies need enhanced hiring and monitoring practices that go beyond basic I-9 checks. LRQA, together with Fragomen and FortneyScott, developed the TriAge Framework to support this need. The Framework provides a structured management system for verifying Identity, Age, and Eligibility, using guidance from experienced labor & employment and immigration attorneys. It helps companies build age and eligibility-related controls across operations, which can also include a level of scrutiny over third-party contractors that provide labor at an employer’s worksite or for an employer’s benefit. These controls can then be validated through third-party independent audits.

Empowering workers. Protecting businesses. Action made possible.  

LRQA’s Dignia is part of a global grievance mechanism program, now available in the U.S., designed to empower workers while helping businesses identify and address labor risks with confidence.

Developed in collaboration with major retailers and leading NGOs—including Cierto and The Centre for Child Rights and Business—Dignia combines confidential worker reporting, expert remediation support, and real-time data insights to drive transparency, accountability, and measurable impact.

As labor risks in U.S. supply chains continue to rise, particularly around child labor, Dignia provides a practical solution that enables early detection and response. Through a trusted, accessible helpline, workers can safely raise concerns, report harm, and access support—helping organizations act before issues escalate.

Dignia enables organizations to:

• Provide safe, confidential channels for worker voice and reporting
• Detect risks earlier and respond more effectively through a U.S.-specific framework for escalation and response
• Access expert, rights-based remediation support
• Access network of local referral partners , ensuring access to trusted services across crisis response, legal support, worker rights, and community care

At the core of Dignia is a strong partner ecosystem that builds trU.S.t and ensures effective outcomes. Cierto, a leader in responsible recruitment, supports worker engagement and delivers on-site supplier training. The Centre for Child Rights and Business brings deep expertise in child labor remediation, including rapid assessments and child-centered approaches.

• With Dignia, workers are heard—and businesses are equipped to take meaningful, responsible action.

Enhancing supplier transparency and proactive risk management.

LRQA’s suite of Verified Responsible Sourcing Self-Assessment tools (vSAQ) is designed to help organizations strengthen supplier oversight through a flexible, fit-for-purpose approach tailored to different partner types—including facilities, service providers, and vendors.

Built for efficiency, our vSAQs offers a low-lift, high-impact solution that:

• Strengthens engagement and accountability
• Enhances transparency across global operations
• Supports proactive identification and mitigation of risk

Leveraging country-specific risk data, the vSAQ delivers a targeted, contextual assessment experience. Depending on the solution, responses are verified by LRQA’s expert consultants or in-country field teams—providing an added layer of assurance and credibility.

Our partners and industry have also developed a range of supporting tools and frameworks to strengthen due diligence, improve workforce oversight, and enable effective, rights-aligned remediation.