Social
SA 8000 certification enables you to demonstrate your commitment to social accountability standards as well as employee and customer satisfaction.
SA 8000 is an international certification standard that encourages organisations to develop, maintain and apply socially acceptable practices in the workplace. It was created in 1989 by Social Accountability International (SAI), an affiliate of the Council on Economic Priorities, and is viewed as the most globally accepted independent workplace standard. It can be applied to any company, of any size, anywhere in the world. The areas it addresses include forced and child labour, health and safety, freedom of association and collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, compensation and management systems.
As well as setting standards for employees worldwide, SA 8000 also embraces existing international agreements, including conventions from the International Labour Organisation, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
ISO 26000 is to be a guidance standard for social responsibility / accountability. While ISO 26000 focus is alignment with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, is a guidance standard not intended for certification. Guide ISO 26000 (2010) is to apply to all types of entities including industry, private, and even government.
SUPPLIER ETHICAL DATA EXCHANGE
Sedex, the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange, is a membership organisation for businesses committed to continuous improvement of the ethical performance of their supply chains.
Companies join Sedex in order to- Use the Sedex web-based system
- Participate in Sedex governance
- Participate in working groups
- Network and engage with other Sedex members
- Utilise Sedex value-added services
Sedex is a not-for-profit organisation based in London, UK, open for membership to any company anywhere in the world.
WORLDWIDE RESPONSIBLE ACCREDITED PRODUCTION
The Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) program is the world’s largest facility certification program mainly focused on the apparel, footwear and sewn products sectors. Facilities receive a certification of six months to one year based on compliance with the 12 WRAP Principles.
The WRAP Principles are based on generally accepted international workplace standards, local laws and workplace regulations that encompass human resources management, health and safety, environmental practices, and legal compliance including import/export and customs compliance and security standards.
WRAP has adopted a management systems approach toward compliance which requires that senior management adopt the WRAP principles in writing, assign the necessary staff to ensure the required practices are implemented throughout the facility, and that an internal audit system is in place to ensure continuous compliance.
Facilities must undergo a rigorous self-assessment and then be audited by an independent third-party monitoring company.
BUSINESS SOCIAL COMPLIANCE INITIATIVE
The Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) Monitoring System is the European approach to improving social performance in supplier countries through a uniform social standards monitoring solution.
The BSCI is based on the labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other important international regulations like the UN Charter for Human Rights, as well as on national regulations. This initiative aims at continuously improving the social performance of suppliers, ultimately enhancing working conditions in factories worldwide.
The BSCI monitoring system:- Provides standardised management tools for all companies in all countries
- Supplies a database: information pool to optimise coordination of the process
- Is open to retailers, importers, and manufacturers
- Involves all stakeholders in Europe and supplier countries
- Report valid for 3 years.
SGQ undertakes Code of conduct audits for our clients on behalf of their cusotmers and other interested parties.