SA 8000 Heinrich A Bieler Why use

SA 8000 Heinrich A. Bieler

Why use a Standard n To provide a basis for audit and improvement that represents the interests of stakeholders, whilst being biased to none in particular. n Is widely understood, accepted and is verifiable by both internal and external means. n A baseline against which acceptable practices may be measured. 2

SA 8000 § The first global standard for ethical sourcing § Designed for independent verification § A global standard, designed for use by any company, anywhere in the world § Has been developed with stakeholders § Is designed to take local laws and requirements into account “SA 8000 is definitely a move in the right direction and complements efforts such as the Ethical Trading Initiative in Europe, to put these issues onto the global agenda” Dr Geoff Spriegel - Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd. . 3

SA 8000 n A common standard seeking to guarantee the basic rights of workers n A set of universal requirements in line with the ILO Conventions n The first auditable global social standard n Provides the framework for the independent verification of the ethical production of goods and services n Has been developed by CEPAA, now SAI (Social Accountability International) n More information: www. cepaa. org 4

Social Accountability International (SAI) n A charitable human rights organization n Dedicated to improving workplaces and communities by developing and implementing socially responsible standads n SAI convenes key multi-sectoral stakeholders to develop consensus-based voluntary standards n SAI accredits qualified organizations to verify compliance n SAI promotes understanding and implementation of such standard worldwide 5

The Standard SA 8000 (download: www. cepaa. org) Discrimination Management Communicatio n Working Hours Supply Chain Remuneration Disziplinary Practices Health & Safety Forced Labour Child Labour Freedom of Association & Right to Collective Bargaining 6

Improvement Process SA 8000 Certification Basic Code of Practice Unacceptable Level 7

Stepped Approach Monitoring Supplier Verification (full or reduced) Supply Chain Verification SA 8000 Supply Chain Verification Reduced Requirements Completeness of Coverage per Supplier SA 8000 Certification 8

Implementation Learn about the requirements Commitment of the Top Management Projectplanning Training, Information, Contacts to NGOs Process / evidence definition Process implementation / providing evidence Monitoring / Management Review (Pre -Audit) Certificition 9

Stakeholder Map Taxes Church Laws Shareholder Goverment Parties Religion Unions NGOs Capital Accidents Organisation Banks Owner Insurance Social Security Management Employees Workers Suppliers Media Families Competitors Clients Hobbies Internet TV/Radio Press 10

Certification Process United Nations, EU NGOs Local legislation Suppliers Local Staff Local/ International norms Code of Practice Client Interpretation of SA 8000 for audit, with certification objective Conformity Audit to SA 8000 standard ? SA 8000 standard requirements Surveillances Accredited Certificate Basic requirements Elements of the implementation decision ’Audit Report Enterprise XYZ Implementation Audit and Certification 11

Certification Audit: Documentation n Documentation · Contract of Employment · Human Resource Manual / Procedures · Published Policy · PR Material · Quality Manual / Procedures · Health and Safety Manual / Procedures 12

Certification Audit: Records n Records · Pay Stubs · Payroll · Fire, Health and Safety Certificate · Job Application · Test Results (e. g. Potable Water) · Production Schedules · Identity Documents 13

Certification Audit: Interviews and Focus Groups n Worker Interview · Anonymity · Simple, clear questions · Language · Gender · Notes · Ev. Off-site interviews n Focus Groups · Group of workers selected randomly · Two / three Subjects · Group Briefed at Start / summary given at end of Session 14

Certification Audit: Questionnaire, Observations n Questionnaire / Survey · Larger sample · Anonymous · Use to cross check · Brief, clear (10 – 15 Questions) n Observations · Use and common sense 15

Data Collection Matrix 16

Auditors Ethics n Audit team selection (gender) n Language n Knowledge of customs and laws n Understanding of the culture n Do no harm n Information is about people n When auditors leave, people remain n If you cannot do the work – do not try n Do not deceive n Do not misrepresent 17

Integrated Systems → Integrated Audits 18

Worker Benefits n Fewer accidents n Enhanced opportunities to be organized n A way to address and improve the conditions where people work n Increased worker awareness about core labor rights n Enhanced communication to the management n Evidence that labor rights are good for society and business n Improved business practices lead to economic growth and new job opportunities 19

Employer benefits n A credible and effective way to put social responsability into action n Enhanced company and brand reputation n Improved employee recruitment, retention and performance n Gains in quality and productivity n Savings from fewer workdays lost and lower insurance bills n Less expensive than an internal compliance program n Better relationships among workers, trade unions, companies, customers, NGOs and government 20

Consumer benefits n Clear, credible information for those who want to make ethical purchasng decisions n Useful data for socially responsible investors n Identification of products made under humane conditions n Identification of companies making progress toward humane conditions n Broad coverage of product categories and production geography 21

Additional Information ? SGS Société Generale de Surveillance SA 1, place des Alpes P. O. Box 2152 CH-1211 Geneva 1 www. sgs. com SGS Switzerland SA Systems &Services Certification Technoparkstrasse 1 CH-8005 Zurich heinrich_bieler@sgs. com 22