In the complex web of global supply chains, maintaining ethical standards is paramount. SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) stands at the forefront of this mission, offering a robust methodology for conducting ethical audits. Developed by Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange), this comprehensive audit format is designed to ensure compliance with a spectrum of crucial criteria, including labour standards, health and safety, environmental policies, and business ethics.
The Essence of SMETA
SMETA sets itself apart by integrating the best practices from a variety of ethical audit protocols, such as SA8000, the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code, and ISO 26000. Its approach is encapsulated in a four-pillar audit system that meticulously examines:
- Labour Standards: Assessing conditions related to working hours, overtime, wages, benefits, discrimination, harassment, forced and child labour.
- Health and Safety: Evaluating practices to protect workers' well-being within the workplace.
- Environmental Management: Investigating how operations impact the environment and the measures in place to mitigate this.
- Business Ethics: Scrutinising the ethical conduct of businesses in their dealings.
Why SMETA?
SMETA's widespread acceptance and utilisation across the globe stem from its status as a trusted and comprehensive standard for ethical supply chain evaluation. Its flexibility and detailed focus make it an indispensable tool for companies across diverse sectors—ranging from textiles and clothing to footwear and electronics—to scrutinise and improve the ethical performance of their suppliers. Auditing firms and certifiers also rely on SMETA for its thorough and respected methodology.
Employing SMETA not only facilitates compliance with essential ethical standards but also fosters transparency and responsibility throughout the supply chain. As companies and organisations increasingly strive to uphold ethical practices, SMETA's role in ensuring these commitments is more critical than ever.