The SA 8000 standard, created by Social Accountability International (SAI),
- Contributes to the respect of workers‘ human rights worldwide by promoting ethical working conditions, labour rights, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social dialogue.
- It is applicable to any type and size of organisation, including workers’ rights, health and safety conditions in the workplace, and management systems.
CREATION
The SA8000 certificate helps to meet requirements that can contribute to improving productivity and quality and help to recruit and retain workers.
- Design procedures and policies to achieve a safe and healthy working environment; freedom of association and collective bargaining; and a business strategy to address work-related social issues. Includes rules regarding working hours, wages, combating discrimination and child or forced labour.
- Implements the policies and procedures for operating a Social Management System to ensure compliance with standards and sustained improvement in social performance.
- SA8000 certification through a SAI-approved certifier. The most common ISO certifiers are approved. The certification agency conducts the initial inspection.
- External verification or external audit; this allows stakeholders to clearly identify those companies that achieve fundamentally humane working conditions.
- Maintenance and monitoring of the SA8000 certificate. Once the workplace is certified, the company is periodically monitored to ensure that it continues to comply with the programme’s requirements.
SA8000 requirements
The SA 8000 standard involves adopting policies and procedures that protect the fundamental human rights of workers and include responsible principles on:
- Child labour, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Forced and compulsory labour, in accordance with the requirements of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
- Health and safety.
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
- Discrimination. United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
- Disciplinary measures.
- Working hours.
- Remuneration. The SA8000 standards only require that workers be paid the minimum wage or the basic industrial wage.
- Management systems. The SA8000 Management System is based on the ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) models, combining performance and management requirements. This approach allows for the integration of labour ethics and social sustainability into business strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
Implementing SA8000 certification strengthens corporate reputation, improves labour relations and demonstrates the company’s genuine commitment to social responsibility and human rights.