Retailers, brands and customers are increasingly concerned about whether their goods are manufactured in a way that ensures fair treatment for all workers involved in their production supply chain. One way companies can get assurance about their suppliers’ performance in this regard is by requesting a third-party Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) to report on processes and the situation.
To evaluate these, a set of requirements, known as the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) Base Code, has been formed as a benchmark standard (based on ILO conventions). Sedex (the scheme owner) has enhanced this with additional elements. This is what you will be audited against, in addition to local legislation and specified customer requirements.
The main elements included in the audit are labor standards and health and safety. Additional pillars for environment and business integrity may be added.
What are the benefits of a SMETA?
- SMETA reports reduce supply chain audit duplication by providing a widely accepted single format for social compliance audits.
- SMETA reports are uploaded to the Sedex platform, enabling members to effectively share and manage ethical supply chain information.
- Reduce social responsibility and sustainability risks in supply chains.
- Identify weak areas, to implement corrective actions that drive improvement and mitigate risk.
Why choose SMETA services from SGS?
We are a Sedex Affiliate Audit Company (AAC). Sedex is home to one of the world’s leading collaborative platforms for buyers and suppliers to store, share and report on ethical and social audit information, quickly and easily. Being granted an AAC account indicates our commitment to correctly using SMETA and Sedex social audit methodology and conducting audits with quality and integrity.
Trusted SMETA services from a world leader
We are a founding and full member of the leading industry association, the Association of Professional Social Compliance Auditors (APSCA). We have a global network of more than 800 experienced APSCA-enrolled auditors, in more than 80 countries, available to support your SMETA needs.
Our auditors have extended tenure, resulting in robust industry expertise and consistent service delivery. They also have in-depth knowledge of SMETA through active involvement in the Sedex Community Forum (previously Sedex Stakeholder Forum) and participation in working groups.
We have experience in conducting thousands of audits against third-party, industry and client-specific codes and social compliance programs.
Contact us for further information or to book your next SMETA audit or supplier audits.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).
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