SA8000 Social Accountability Management System Certification

SA8000® Social Accountability Certification

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 labor 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.

HElping You to Achieve SA8000® Certification

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 conducts audits on companies for compliance with the SA8000® standard in three stages:

• the readiness review
• the certification audit
• the surveillance audits during the period of validity of the certificate

Expertise To Guide You Through the SA8000® Certification Process

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 programs 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 recognized 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.