Child labour
Forced labour
Health and safety
Freedom of association and collective bargaining
Discrimination
Disciplinary practices
Working hours
Compensation
Management systems
Why have this standard?
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and investment analysts scrutinize organizations to assess that minimum standards are upheld in the workplace and ensure that workers are getting a fair deal.
These and other stakeholders, including your employees, are increasingly evaluating your organization’s commitment to ensuring a fair and equitable working environment and transparent business practices.
This climate means that your organization will be called upon more and more to demonstrate its social responsibility.
The most widely recognized global standard for managing human rights in the workplace is Social Accountability International’s SA 8000:2001. It is the first auditable standard, suitable for organizations of all sizes anywhere in the world, and provides a framework for assuring all of your stakeholders that social accountability is being stewarded by your management.
Benefits of SA 8000
Enhancing your brand image and reputation
Differentiating you from your competition
Attracting new customers
Improves worker morale and effectiveness
Attracts ethical investment
Demonstrating transparency to stakeholders
SA 8000 brings about an effective and robust management system.
SA Certification- How does it work?
The certification process begins with the company contacting an accredited auditor/consultancy. Having demonstrated compliance with existing regulations and assessed how current practice compares with the provisions of SA8000, the company is given the status of 'SA8000 applicant'.
The business then puts in place an SA8000 programme, which is scrutinized by a 'pre-assessment audit'. Any improvements that are recommended can be put into practice before the formal audit takes place.
Following the formal assessment, the company is again given the opportunity to put right any shortcomings, before being checked again. If at the end of this process the auditors are satisfied that the company is fully compliant, they will issue an SA8000 certificate, valid for three years.
