What does the SA 8000 Social Responsibility standard offer?
The SA 8000 standard, “Social Responsibility 8000”, is a voluntary certification scheme that aims to improve working conditions worldwide. The SA 8000 Social Accountability certification is based on international agreements on working conditions, which include issues such as social justice, workers’ rights, etc.:
- Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO),
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights United Nations
- Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- SAI – Social Accountability.
This standard certifies management in Ethics and Social Responsibility. It requires organisations that wish to do so, or that are required by international markets in order to export, to demonstrate that their production processes provide conditions of well-being, respect for human rights, freedom of association and fair wages, and that they do not involve any form of abuse or discrimination.
Compliance with SA 8000 requirements can help improve productivity and quality, and assist in recruiting and retaining staff.
Other CSR standards include SGE21 Forética, Ecovadis, SMETA, Lucie Progress, B-Corp and GRI Reporting, amongst others.
What does the SA 8000 Social Responsibility standard offer?
The SA8000 certification essentially sets out:
- Minimum standards for ensuring a safe and healthy working environment; freedom of association and collective bargaining;
- A business strategy for addressing work-related social issues. It contains rules regarding working hours, wages, and the fight against discrimination and child or forced labour.
To obtain certification, it is necessary to implement a management system that promotes socially acceptable working practices that are beneficial throughout the supply chain.
Companies can apply for SA8000 certification through one of the accredited, reputable ISO certification bodies. This involves an initial audit and regular monitoring.