The SEDEX SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) assesses involvement in ethical trade and corporate social responsibility in the supply chain. The SMETA audit can be conducted in two formats: SMETA 2 Pillars and SMETA 4 Pillars. The two formats differ in the scope and depth of the areas assessed during the audit.
SMETA 2 Pillars
The SMETA 2 Pillars version focuses on: labour standards and health and safety. These are the main concerns in ethical audits, as they deal with the working conditions of employees. The audit assesses whether employees have adequate contracts, whether their labour rights are respected, whether they receive fair wages and whether they work in safe and healthy conditions.
- Labour standards: Examines whether companies comply with local labour laws and international standards, such as those established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It includes aspects such as recruitment, remuneration, working hours, rest periods, equal opportunities, and the prohibition of child or forced labour.
- Health and safety: Focuses on the physical and mental safety of workers. Auditors review whether adequate safety policies are in place, whether measures are implemented to prevent accidents, and whether the working environment is safe. It is aligned with the ISO 45001 certificate.
SEDEX 2 Pillars SMETA is ideal for companies seeking a basic and straightforward analysis of the labour and safety aspects of their supply chain, without the need to delve into other issues such as environmental impact or business ethics.
SMETA 4 Pillars
On the other hand, SMETA 4 Pillars adds two additional areas: environment and business ethics. It provides a more comprehensive view of ethical performance, also addressing issues of sustainability and transparency in business practices.
- Environment: This pillar reviews the environmental impact of the company’s operations, ensuring that policies and measures are in place to minimise ecological damage. This includes the efficient use of resources, waste management and compliance with environmental regulations. It is aligned with the ISO 14001 certificate and the EMAS Regulation.
- Business ethics: This assesses business practices to ensure they are transparent and fair. Aspects such as corruption prevention, compliance with local laws and integrity in commercial transactions are analysed. Other ways of assessing ethics and social responsibility include Ecovadis, Lucie Progess and the GRI Report, among others.