SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 8000 (SA8000)
SA 8000 is an international certification standard that encourages organizations to develop, maintain and apply socially acceptable practices in the workplace.
Since its creation in 1989, the Social Accountability International (SAI) organization, an affiliate of the Council on Economic Priorities, is viewed as the most globally accepted independent workplace standard. The SA 8000 standard can be applied to any company, of any size, worldwide.
SA 8000 certification addresses issues including forced and child labor, occupational health and safety, freedom of association and collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, compensation, and management systems.
As well as setting workplace standards worldwide, SA 8000 also embraces existing international agreements, including conventions from the International Labor Organization, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Adopting SA 8000 certification means an organization must consider the social impact of their operations in addition to the conditions under which their employees, partners and suppliers operate. It can be applied to any company, of any size, worldwide. Certifying your organization against SA 8000 with an SGS audit will help you develop and improve social accountability across your operations. Working with our experienced auditors to implement the most globally accepted workplace standard demonstrates social accountability when bidding for contracts and expanding your organization.

Social Accountability Requirements

1. Child Labour
2. Forced or Compulsory Labour
3. Health and Safety
4. Freedom of Association & Right to Collective Bargaining
5. Discrimination
6. Disciplinary Practices
7. Working Hours
8. Remuneration
9. Management System

Benefits of SEDEX

1.    Proves your commitment to social accountability and to treating your employees ethically and in compliance with global standards.
2.    Improves the management and performance of your supply chain.
3.    Allows you to ensure compliance with global standards and reduce the risk of negligence, public exposure and possible litigation.
4.    Supports your corporate vision and build and reinforce the loyalty of your employees, customers and stakeholders.
5.    Enables you to demonstrate proper social accountability when bidding for international contracts or expanding locally to accommodate new business.

How Can BSCS Help?

We provide SA8000 management system training and consultancy services. We offer specialized expertise and extensive practical experience to assist client in developing management systems from the initial concept to establishment and successful implementation of the management systems.

We use the following consultation approach to assist you in achieving certification:
1.   Identify areas requiring improvement or development within your current Management System
2.   Prepare a strategic action plan, in conjunction with your company personnel, to address those improvement areas and assist with the communication of these requirements to key personnel at all levels
3.   Provide system-related trainings for your company personnel to create awareness and provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills in the implementation of systems
4.   Provide assistance and advice on the development and implementation of systems, including preparation of documentation
5.   Advise and assist, if required, with the preparation and submission of applications to your certification body
6.   Assist with the development of internal auditing procedures and training
7.   Conduct internal audit to ensure the effective implementation of the management system prior to final audit by your certification body
8.   Conduct Management Review Meeting to review performance of management system and identify areas for improvement prior to final audit by your certification body