SA8000 Standard for Decent Work

SA8000 Standard Revision 2023–2024

Update

Social Accountability International (SAI) invites public comments on its revision of the SA8000 Standard for Decent Work. The draft revised Standard will be online for public review from 16 September to 15 November 2024. It is important that all stakeholders, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, and those with personal experience and insights into managing human rights at work, give their feedback on the draft Standard. SAI will deliver public webinars to provide details about the revision process, and guidance on how to review and provide feedback.

What is changing?

SAI is undertaking a full revision of its SA8000 Standard for Decent Work. Between 16 September and mid-October 2024, SAI will deliver public webinars across time zones and in multiple languages to provide details about the draft Standard and revision process, and guidance on how to review and provide feedback. Webinars will be recorded and made available online for those who cannot attend live.

Why?

SAI updates its SA8000 Standard regularly to ensure that it continues to serve as a leading benchmark for ethical workplaces at all levels of the value chain, reflecting evolving human rights risks and good practices.

Timeline

From 16 September to 15 November 2024 the draft revised SA8000 Standard will be open to public comment.

Public webinars will be held between 16 September and mid-October 2024.

Recommended Actions

Participation in the public consultation is important to ensure that the revised Standard meets the needs of all stakeholders, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, and those with personal insights into human rights at work.

Stakeholders are recommended to get involved and register for the relevant public webinars between 16 September and mid-October 2024.

The draft, revised SA8000 Standard will be open to public comment from 16 September to 15 November 2024.

Background

The SA8000 Standard, the world’s leading social certification program, protects over 2 million workers in over 4,000 certified facilities globally, based on internationally recognised standards of decent work, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Labour Organization conventions, and national laws. The Standard is the basis for all of SAI’s programs to advance human rights for workers around the world, and serves as a benchmark for many other standards, policymakers, and in-company codes of conduct. The SA8000 approach to social performance emphasises worker engagement and continual improvement. This approach leads to better working conditions and worker wellbeing, and positive business impacts.

All SA8000 audits are carried out by certification bodies (qualified auditing firms) that receive accreditation from SAI’s independently managed division, Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS). Accreditation, or oversight by a credible and authorised independent third party, ensures that social audits are undertaken impartially, competently, and effectively. Only SA8000 certificates issued by audit firms validated by SAAS are recognised by stakeholders as a true indicator of social performance.

SAI’s programs include:

• its flagship SA8000 Certification program
• Corporate Programs that help companies measure and improve working conditions in supply chains around the world
• systems-focused landscape projects.

For its revision of the SA8000 Standard, in 2023 SAI held 13 workshops across 10 key countries to gather feedback on the initial drafts. These workshops were open to anyone with an interest in labour rights, social compliance, and human rights due diligence.

Nearly 250 participants, including representatives from SA8000-certified companies, audit firms, government agencies, and human rights and workers’ rights organisations attended the workshops and provided their expertise and insights, contributing a wide range of perspectives.

Resources

Sources