SA8000® Social Accountability Certification
Affirm your commitment to social accountability in the workplace with SA8000®
Around the world today, there is a growing interest in the working conditions involved in manufacturing products, particularly in developing countries. As workplace conditions are an important part of a company’s image and brand, consumers are becoming more aware of these social issues. The lack of a process for managing ethical breaches and risks can lead to tarnished brand reputations and poor financial results. As companies depend on increasingly complex and distributed supply chains, it is important to have an ethical monitoring protocol in place to ensure social accountability.
SA8000® is a voluntary social compliance standard that demonstrates your commitment to a humane working environment and represents responsible production. Adhering to the standard will help to reduce risks, enhance the reputation of your factory and brand, meet customer requirements, improve supplier relationships, create better labour conditions and a safer work environment, and provide clear and credible assurance for ethical purchasing decisions.
To prepare for the standard, your company has to be aware of its requirements. This includes taking control of legal requirements and comparing current practices to the SA8000® standard requirements. Once the comparison has been made, your company can close the gap and implement the standard’s requirements. Compulsory procedures should be issued and integrated into the existing company management system. After you have applied/completed the internal monitoring process, the certification process can begin.
TÜV SÜD conducts audits on companies for compliance with the SA8000® standard in three stages: the readiness review, the certification audit and the surveillance audits during the period of validity of the certificate. Renewal audits may take place once every three years.
TÜV SÜD’s global network provides multidisciplinary expertise for a wide range of auditing and certification services in key markets. We act as a one-stop service provider for companies requiring social compliance programmes and management systems standards, integrating SA8000® with other management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 as well other social compliance initiatives such as WRAP, ETI and BSCI. TÜV SÜD operates worldwide with competent local auditors recognised by SAI.
As part of our commitment to unparalleled service quality, our inspectors and auditors are required to adhere to our strict Code of Conduct. This ensures the expert opinions they provide are professional, independent and impartial.
SA8000® is a voluntary social compliance standard that demonstrates your commitment to a humane working environment and represents responsible production. Adhering to the standard will help to reduce risks, enhance the reputation of your factory and brand, meet customer requirements, improve supplier relationships, create better labour conditions and a safer work environment, and provide clear and credible assurance for ethical purchasing decisions.
To prepare for the standard, your company has to be aware of its requirements. This includes taking control of legal requirements and comparing current practices to the SA8000® standard requirements. Once the comparison has been made, your company can close the gap and implement the standard’s requirements. Compulsory procedures should be issued and integrated into the existing company management system. After you have applied/completed the internal monitoring process, the certification process can begin.
TÜV SÜD conducts audits on companies for compliance with the SA8000® standard in three stages: the readiness review, the certification audit and the surveillance audits during the period of validity of the certificate. Renewal audits may take place once every three years.
TÜV SÜD’s global network provides multidisciplinary expertise for a wide range of auditing and certification services in key markets. We act as a one-stop service provider for companies requiring social compliance programmes and management systems standards, integrating SA8000® with other management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 as well other social compliance initiatives such as WRAP, ETI and BSCI. TÜV SÜD operates worldwide with competent local auditors recognised by SAI.
As part of our commitment to unparalleled service quality, our inspectors and auditors are required to adhere to our strict Code of Conduct. This ensures the expert opinions they provide are professional, independent and impartial.
Your benefits at a glance
- Save money - through greater productivity and lower turnover. Rework is reduced and efficiency is increased.
- Save time - in your supply chain work processes through improved communications between management
and employees. - Minimise risks - with safer working conditions, eliminating the chance of harm to employees and damage to your business reputation.
- Gain a competitive edge - through improved working conditions, leading to a highly motivated workforce and superior quality products.
Demonstrate full transparency - to external parties with regard to your working conditions, safety and remuneration. This helps to assure stakeholders about the quality of your company.