SMETA: Documenting social responsibility and ethical behaviour
SEDEX is a nonprofit organization, whose headquarter is established in London. All the companies in any location can apply for the membership. SEDEX has won the favor of many large retailers and manufacturers. Many retailers, supermarkets, brand owners, suppliers and other organizations will ask cooperated farms, factories and manufactures to perform SMETA in order to be in line with the requirements of relevant ethical standards. Audit results can be recognized and shared by SEDEX membership. Thus, suppliers accept to conduct SEDEX inspection, which can avoid a lot of repeated audits from customers.
SMETA is Sedex’s social auditing standard that businesses can use to assess a supplier’s working conditions, across the areas of labor, health and safety, environment and business ethics.
Benefits of SEDEX auditing to SMETA ethical trade requirements
- Proof of fair working conditions
- Continual improvement of your management system
- Enhanced ethical image
- More effective risk management through transparency in the supply chain
- Improved competitiveness in the global market
Audit procedure for SMETA certification (verification)
Overview of the SMETA audit
There are two types of SMETA audits to choose from
The 2-pillar format covers
- working practices and standards
- health and safety
The 4-pillar format additionally covers
- environmental audit
- business ethics
GOOD TO KNOW: Certification or verification?
Sedex SMETA is not a certification as such, but a verification. In contrast to a (successful) certification, a verification does not guarantee that the audited organization fulfils the requirements completely.
Verification to SMETA only testifies to the degree to which the audited organization fulfils the requirements.
FAQs on Sedex SMETA
Social Compliance Audits can be carried out based on the criteria of the SMETA Standard (SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit ). This standard was developed by SEDEX, a not-for-profit membership organisation run on behalf of its members.
With this standard, buyers and suppliers can optimise responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains.
SMETA is based on the criteria of the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code and applicable local legislation.
Following registration with SEDEX Advance, suppliers have to complete the SEDEX self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ).
Through comparison of supplier and customer information, problem areas can be identified which can be eliminated before the audit is carried out. This means that audits can be carried out more efficiently and cost-effectively and in a targeted way.
SMETA certification (verification) is suitable for manufacturers who supply members of SEDEX. The size of the organization, the geographic location or the manufacturing sector do not play a part.
SMETA is extremely useful for suppliers who wish to conduct an audit for a wider customer base, as the audits are linked via the SEDEX database so they can be viewed by different customers. This means time and money are not wasted with duplication is avoided.
The following criteria are audited:
- Employment is freely chosen
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
- The working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour shall not be used
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive
- No discrimination is practised
- Regular employment is provided
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
- Environmental standards are upheld
- Corporate ethics must be in place
- Environmental standards are upheld
- Corporate ethics must be in place