SA 8000

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SA 8000
Heinrich A. Bieler
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Why use a Standard

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

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SA 8000

• The first global standard for ethical sourcing
• Designed for independent verification
• A global standard, designed for use by
  anycompany, anywhere in the world
• Has been developed with stakeholders
• Is designed to take local laws andrequirements
  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 - Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd..
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SA 8000

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

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Social Accountability International (SAI)

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

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The Standard SA 8000 (download www.cepaa.org)
Management
Discrimination
Communication
Working Hours
Supply Chain
Remuneration
Disziplinary Practices
Health Safety
Freedom of Association Right to Collective
Bargaining
Forced Labour
Child Labour
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Improvement Process
SA8000 Certification
Basic Code of Practice
Unacceptable Level
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Stepped Approach Monitoring
SA 8000Certification
SupplierVerification(full or reduced)
Supply ChainVerificationSA 8000
Completeness of Coverage per Supplier
Supply ChainVerificationReduced Requirements
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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
• ? Continual Improvement

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Stakeholder Map
Taxes
Church
Laws
Shareholder
Goverment
Parties
Religion
NGOs
Unions
Capital
Organisation
Banks
Accidents
Owner
Insurance
Management
Social Security
EmployeesWorkers
Suppliers
Media
Families
Clients
Competitors
Hobbies
TV/Radio
Internet
Press
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Certification Process
United Nations, EU
Local Staff
NGOs
Local/ International norms
Local legislation
Interpretation of SA 8000 for audit, with
certification objective
Conformity to SA 8000 standard ?
Audit Report
Surveil-lances
Suppliers
Code of Practice
Audit
Client
SA 8000 standard requirements
Accredited Certificate
Basic requirements
Enterprise
XYZ
Elements of the implementation decision
Audit and Certification
Implementation
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Certification Audit Documentation

• Documentation
• Contract of Employment
• Human Resource Manual / Procedures
• Published Policy
• PR Material
• Quality Manual / Procedures
• Health and Safety Manual / Procedures

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Certification Audit Records

• Records
• Pay Stubs
• Payroll
• Fire, Health and Safety Certificate
• Job Application
• Test Results (e.g. Potable Water)
• Production Schedules
• Identity Documents

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Certification Audit Interviews and Focus Groups

• Worker Interview
• Anonymity
• Simple, clear questions
• Language
• Gender
• Notes
• Ev. Off-site interviews
• Focus Groups
• Group of workers selected randomly
• Two / three Subjects
• Group Briefed at Start / summary given at end of
  Session

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Certification Audit Questionnaire, Observations

• Questionnaire / Survey
• Larger sample
• Anonymous
• Use to cross check
• Brief, clear (10 15 Questions)
• Observations
• Use and common sense

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Data Collection Matrix
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Auditors Ethics

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

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Integrated Systems ? Integrated Audits
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Worker Benefits

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

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Employer benefits

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

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Consumer benefits

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

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Additional Information ?
SGS Société Generale de Surveillance SA 1, place
des AlpesP.O. Box 2152CH-1211 Geneva
1 www.sgs.com SGS Switzerland SASystems
Services Certification Technoparkstrasse
1CH-8005 Zurichheinrich_bieler_at_sgs.com