SMETA certification

Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) is a global platform focused on responsible business practices that make supply chains more socially and environmentally sustainable. It also supports organisations to carry out due diligence and meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) requirements. 

Sedex members ethical trade audit (SMETA) is the most widely used audit in the world. Businesses use it to enhance working conditions and environmental performance in their operations and supply chains.  

TÜV SÜD is an Affiliate Audit Company (AAC) of Sedex and is authorised to conduct SMETA audits. SMETA audits assess an organisation’s adherence to ethical standards, including labour conditions, health and safety, environmental management, and business ethics.

SMETA certification provides a framework for organisations to enhance their sustainable business practices, improve supply chain transparency, and achieve business growth. Organisations use SMETA to identify good practices in employment conditions. SMETA certification also demonstrates your organisation's commitment to ethical trading. You can legally claim your products are 'fair trade,' something increasingly valued by consumers. Demonstrating your ethical stance through a SEDEX audit will gain you a competitive edge.

TÜV SÜD is authorised to conduct both SMETA audits and Sedex Virtual Assessments. We provide honest and high-quality SEDEX audits to help you build sustainable supply chains. We conduct both the SMETA-2 pillar and SMETA-4 pillar audits.  

A SMETA 2-Pillar audit comprises: 

• Labour standards
• Health and safety
• Additional elements
• Universal rights covering UNGP
• Management systems
• Entitlement to work
• Subcontracting and homeworking
• Shortened environment assessment

Additionally, a SMETA 4-Pillar audit includes: 

• Environment (extended) – this replaces the Environment (shortened) section detailed above 
• Business ethics