As an internationally active business, it is responsibility to maintain human working conditions. The SA8000 standard delivers documentary evidence of company's dedication to social and occupational norms around the world. It describes minimum standard that are useful for orientation as well as external communications. By obeying to these standards, prove that fair working conditions and occupational health and safety are a matter of course in company. This gives distinct competitive benefits over companies that have not associated their production with established social norms. Not least of all, it will be able to enhance operational procedures at production sites and improve relations with suppliers.
SA 8000 is based on the values of international human rights norms as defined in International Labor Organization Contracts, the United Nations Contract on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It measures the performance of businesses in eight key areas child labor, forced labor, health and safety, free association and collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours and compensation. SA8000 also delivers for a social accountability management system to demonstrate ongoing conformance with the standard. An experienced SA 8000 consultant can help organizations to get certified through independent organizations, accredited by Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS). A facility desiring to seek certification to SA8000:2014 must apply to a SAAS-accredited auditing firm, known as a Certification Body. The SA8000 Certificate is issued by certifying body, which is accredited to deliver certificate under the SA 8000:2014 standard.
The SA 8000 certificate is delivered for the period of 3 years after successful completion of pre–assessment and registration assessment. Surveillance audits are directed by the certifying body within the period of 3 years at the interval of 6 months, 9 months or 12 months dependent on the nature and size of the organization. The SA8000 certified workplaces are essential to make public their SA8000 certification and can show their certificate in the store or factory, in company advertising, and on company stationery.
Benefits of SA 8000 Certification:
- Have marketing benefit since there are demand and value for goods from socially Responsible suppliers.
- Be in compliance to laws of the land.
- Expand companies’ relationship with local governments, NGOs and trade unions.
- Have a well image and position in labor market.
- Have a well corporate image.
- Save time and resources.
- Build faith with the investors when evaluated against social performance.
- Improve personnel morale and create of a more dedicated work force.
- Help drive association and decrease duplication.
- Have greater employee retention and less absenteeism.
- Increase productivity due to employee’s loyalty & commitment.
SA 8000 Certification Requirements:
The standard is composed of following nine SA8000-2014 requirements which must be followed by any organization while implementing SA8000 system in organization.
- Child labor is not allowed.
- Forced labor is not allowed.
- Health and safety have to be assured.
- Discrimination is not allowed.
- Disciplinary practices are not permitted.
- Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining have to be guaranteed.
- Working hours should not exceed 48 hours a week, with a maximum of 12 hours overtime.
- Remuneration should be sufficient.
- Management Systems should assurance that the requirements are effectively satisfied.