To manufacture products bearing Disney’s imagery, characters and brands – from Mickey and Frozen to Marvel – a factory must first be authorized by Disney through FAMA (Facility and Merchandise Authorization). This is the indispensable legal “ticket” for every factory, supplier (Vendor) and rights holder (Licensee) wishing to join The Walt Disney Company’s supply chain. The article below helps businesses fully understand the Disney FAMA standard and introduces ISC Global’s Disney FAMA certification consulting and training services.

What Is the Disney FAMA Standard?

FAMA – Facility and Merchandise Authorization is Disney’s formal approval allowing a production facility to manufacture, handle, finish, assemble or package products that bear Disney’s brands.

The core principle of FAMA is unambiguous: no Disney-branded product may be produced or handled at any facility unless and until that facility has received a Disney-signed FAMA. Each facility must have its own FAMA, and a separate FAMA application must be submitted for each geographic market in which the business works with Disney.

A “Disney-branded product” is defined as products in physical form that contain, incorporate or apply any of Disney’s intellectual property (names, marks, logos, characters, artwork, etc.). This includes products, components, packaging, advertising and promotional materials.

How Are Disney FAMA and the ILS Program Related?

FAMA does not stand alone; it is tightly linked to Disney’s International Labor Standards (ILS) Program. This is a point Vietnamese businesses often confuse.

• ILS is the system of requirements covering labor, business ethics, workplace safety and social responsibility, based on the Disney Code of Conduct for Manufacturers and the Minimum Compliance Standard (MCS).
• An ILS Audit is the on-site assessment that verifies the level of compliance with the Code and the MCS.
• FAMA is the resulting authorization: if required, the business must submit a qualified pre-production ILS audit report demonstrating compliance with the MCS before commencing production, alongside the FAMA application.

In other words: passing the ILS audit is the prerequisite, and FAMA is the formal permission for the factory to produce Disney merchandise.

Who Is Required to Have Disney FAMA?

FAMA applies to any facility (including subcontractors) owned by the Licensee/Vendor or by a third party, if that facility produces, processes, finishes, assembles or packages physical products that apply Disney’s intellectual property.

Excluded cases (no FAMA required):

• Facilities that produce only blank or generic products/components/materials that DO NOT contain Disney IP (e.g., plain cardboard boxes, plastic wrap, plain buttons).
• Suppliers of raw materials, fabric mills, or processors of generic commodity items (cotton, metal, paper…) that do not apply Disney IP.
• Agents, business offices and showrooms (if not involved in the production activities above).

Important note: Facilities may only be located in Permitted Sourcing Countries. Vietnam falls within the APAC (Asia–Pacific) region in Disney’s list of geographic markets.

Latest Update: Submitting FAMA via the Compass System (Since August 2024)

This is a key change that many businesses are not yet aware of. Effective August 2024, Disney has moved the ILS/FAMA process onto the digital platform Compass:

• If a business has an active Disney contract but has not received an invitation to access Compass, it must proactively request access at Compass.Disney.com.
• Before submitting a FAMA application for a facility, the business must first add that facility to its Facility List in Compass.
• The “Facility Actions” function in Compass can be used to check whether a facility has previously been declared to Disney.
• FAMA applications must be submitted directly within Compass (replacing the former email submission to the ILS Representative).

Mastering Compass operations and preparing the correct data is the factor that shortens review time – and is part of ISC Global’s support services.

The Disney FAMA Certification Process

1. Understand the requirements and assess the current state: master the Code of Conduct, the MCS and the scope of FAMA.
2. Remediate and prepare the factory: improve labor conditions, safety, documentation systems and business ethics to meet the MCS.
3. Access and set up Compass: request access and add the facility to the Facility List.
4. Conduct a pre-production ILS audit (if required) by a social compliance monitoring organization approved by Disney.
5. Submit the FAMA application in Compass along with supporting documents and a qualified audit report.
6. Disney reviews and signs the FAMA for the facility. Only upon receiving the signed FAMA may the facility produce Disney merchandise.
7. Maintain validity: submit periodic ILS audit reports and remediate violations within the required timeframes.

Validity and Maintenance of Disney FAMA

• A factory generally must renew/update its ILS audit report periodically (typically every 12 months) to maintain FAMA validity.
• When a contract is renewed, the business should submit a new FAMA application; however, Disney may not issue a new signed FAMA if the previously signed FAMA is still valid.
• A Disney-signed FAMA can also be presented to Customs officials to facilitate the importation of properly authorized Disney-branded products (when the facility is outside the territory where the goods are sold).

Common Mistakes That Cause Businesses to Fail or Delay FAMA

• Starting Disney production before receiving a signed FAMA – a serious violation.
• Failing the ILS audit due to MCS violations (overtime, occupational safety, underage labor, business ethics, etc.).
• Declaring facilities incompletely or incorrectly, or failing to declare subcontractors.
• Not mastering the Compass process and submitting incomplete or invalid applications.
• Failing to maintain periodic audits, causing FAMA to lapse.

ISC Global’s Disney FAMA Certification Consulting & Training Services

ISC Global Co., Ltd. accompanies businesses in obtaining and maintaining Disney FAMA in a structured, cost-effective and sustainable way:

1. Consulting to build a system that meets Disney ILS & FAMA

• Gap analysis of the current state against Disney’s Code of Conduct and the MCS.
• Remediation planning and development of documentation systems and management processes for labor, safety and business ethics.
• Consulting on facility declaration and FAMA application submission within the Compass system.

2. Awareness and internal capability training

• Training on the Code of Conduct, the MCS and ILS audit requirements.
• Training the team to prepare documentation, operate Compass and get ready for on-site audits.
• Internal auditor training and self-inspection processes.

3. Audit and certification support

• Internal audits, mock audits, and guidance on corrective action plans (CAP).
• Support in working with Disney-approved social compliance monitoring organizations.
• Accompaniment until the factory receives its signed FAMA.

4. Maintenance and renewal

• Support in planning periodic audits and maintaining FAMA validity.
• Timely updates whenever Disney changes its process, documentation or the Compass platform.

Why Choose ISC Global?

• Experts with deep knowledge of the Disney ILS/FAMA program who continuously track the latest changes (including the Compass system).
• Tailored solutions for specific product categories (apparel, toys, backpacks & bags, ceramics, housewares, packaging, etc.).
• End-to-end accompaniment from consulting, remediation, training and auditing through to maintenance and renewal.
• Optimized time and cost, minimizing the risk of audit failure and FAMA delays.

Frequently Asked Questions About Disney FAMA

Is Disney FAMA a standalone certification? FAMA is Disney’s authorization for each individual facility, tightly linked to compliance with the ILS program. Passing the ILS audit is typically a prerequisite for obtaining FAMA.

Does my factory need a FAMA for each market? Yes. A business must submit a separate FAMA application for each geographic market it works with Disney in; a facility used for multiple markets requires multiple FAMA applications.

How long is FAMA valid? FAMA is tied to maintaining the ILS audit; a factory typically must update its audit report periodically (every 12 months) to maintain validity.

Does a facility that only makes blank packaging need FAMA? No, if the product/material does not contain and does not apply Disney’s intellectual property, it falls under the exclusions.

Where is FAMA submitted? Since August 2024, FAMA applications are submitted directly within Disney’s Compass system after the facility has been added to the Facility List.

CONTACT US FOR DISNEY FAMA CERTIFICATION CONSULTING

ISC Global Co., Ltd. Hotline / Zalo:

• +84 933 096 426
• +84 868 591 260

Contact us now for a free consultation on a roadmap to obtain Disney FAMA certification and pass the ILS audit, tailored to your factory.

Email:

• info@iscglobal.asia
• van.pham@iscglobal.asia

Website:

• https://iscglobal.asia/
• https://iscglobal.edu.vn/