SMETA audit
When it comes to social compliance, a social audit is one of the most effective ways to examine the working conditions at a supplier site and build supply chain transparency. Social audits allow brands to assess their suppliers, showcase their dedication to upholding human rights and monitor health and safety for their workers.
SMETA audit
The Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) audit protocol is the standard for inclusion in the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex). Sedex is a global membership organisation dedicated to driving improvements in ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains. SMETA provides a standard audit and reporting protocol to consider the following:
SMETA 2-pillar audit
- Labour standards
- Health and safety
- Supplementary factors:
- Environmental assessment (rudimentary)
- Management systems
- Entitlement to work
- Subcontracting and homeworking
SMETA 4-pillar audit covers the SMETA 2-pillar plus
- Environmental assessment (detailed)
- Business ethics
As a Sedex Affiliated Audit Company (AAC), we have demonstrated compliance with Sedex’s stringent AAC requirements. Our social compliance auditors are approved to conduct SMETA audits and use their expertise to provide buyers and suppliers with the insights and information needed to achieve their social compliance and ethical goals. We can execute Sedex SMETA audits on behalf of Sedex members worldwide.
SMETA is one of the most widely adopted social audit standards globally and enables auditors to conduct audits that reflect all aspects of responsible and ethical business practices. It also allows suppliers to share one audit report with multiple customers, reducing the need for time-exhaustive duplication. The audit results in a graded evaluation that helps drive corrective measures.
SMETA supplement audit for distributed workforce
In order to assess responsible business practices thoroughly in today’s multi-tier supply chains, Sedex has introduced SMETA Supplement Audit for Distributed Workforce. Mobile and temporary workers such as those in cleansing, logistics, security and any distributed workforce are essential parts of a full supply chain, but they are often overlooked in ordinary social compliance programmes. This additional programme is designed to evaluate the ethical performance of these workers, hence providing a full picture of the supply chain’s social performance at different tiers.
SMETA 2-Pillar and 4-Pillar protocols are applicable to this Sedex Supplement Audit for Distributed Workforce programme with an adapted audit approach. It consists of the sampling of operational sites (where workers are deployed) to conduct worker interviews and working conditions assessments, as well as visits to the back offices of the services providers to review management systems and documentation.
Why choose Eurofins Assurance to conduct your SMETA audit?
- To meet the requirements of hectic sourcing schedules, we can complete SMETA audit reports in as short as 4 working days with complimentary report uploading. Our reporting efficiency gives customers a competitive edge when it comes to sourcing and supply chain management.
- Booking windows are also as short as 2 weeks to provide maximised flexibility and best fit your operations' needs.
- We have secured various industry-standard memberships and accreditations to ensure we are fully certified to carry out social audits for brands and retailers. We are a Full Member Firm of the Association of Professional Social Compliance Auditors (APSCA), demonstrating expertise in quality social compliance audits.
- Our digital platform, Eurofins Assurance OnLine, provides much-needed data intelligence to support modern-day sourcing decisions.
- We uphold stringent quality, process and ethics management systems. Our independent quality and ethics team ensures every aspect of quality in the production process is well monitored, and any potential ethical issues are analysed and resolved. Our customers can expect the highest levels of consistency and integrity in everything we do.
FAQ
What is a SMETA audit?
The Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) audit protocol is the standard for inclusion in the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex). Sedex is a global membership organisation dedicated to driving improvements in ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains. As an Sedex Affiliated Audit Company (AAC), Eurofins Assurance runs SMETA audits around the world for businesses of different sizes.
What does SMETA stand for?
SMETA stands for Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit. It provides a standardised audit methodology and reporting format that enables organisations to assess responsible business practices consistently and drive improvement continously.
What is the difference between Sedex and SMETA?
Sedex is the organisation and data-sharing platform that helps businesses manage ethical and responsible sourcing practices. SMETA is the audit methodology developed by Sedex to evaluate social compliance, labour standards, health and safety, environmental performance and business ethics.
What is included in a SMETA 2-Pillar audit?
SMETA 2-pillar audit includes
Labour standards
Health and safety
Supplementary factors:
- Environmental assessment (rudimentary)
- Management systems
- Entitlement to work
- Subcontracting and homeworking
What is included in a SMETA 4-Pillar audit?
A SMETA 4-Pillar audit covers the above included in SMETA 2-Pillar plus:
- Environmental assessment (detailed)
- Business Ethics
This provides a more comprehensive evaluation of responsible business practices.
Who needs a SMETA audit?
As social responsibility has become a critical part in the modern business landscape, businesses across in all roles are expected to demonstrate such compliance and ensure the sourcing activities are ethical. SMETA by Sedex is one of the programmes that is most recognised and accepted by various buyers in various industries. So it is very common that suppliers find this as a pre-requisite when they work with new buyers.
It is also worth noting that with different human rights due diligence laws being developed or implemented in EU, US and other regions, companies will be required to carry out different risk management activities in their supply chain around responsible business practices. SMETA audit, in these cases, is an effective and helpful tool to achieve so.
What are the benefits of conducting a SMETA audit?
Benefits of undergoing a SMETA audit enhanced brand trust through social compliance commitment, risk mitigation, reduction in audit fatigue and cost from repeated audit.
Can one SMETA audit report be shared with multiple customers?
Yes. One of the key advantages of SMETA is that suppliers can share their audit results with multiple customers through the Sedex platform, helping reduce duplication of audits and associated costs.
What is a SMETA Supplement Audit for Distributed Workforce?
In order to assess responsible business practices thoroughly in today’s multi-tier supply chains, Sedex has introduced SMETA Supplement Audit for Distributed Workforce. Mobile and temporary workers such as those in cleansing, logistics, security and any distributed workforce are essential parts of a full supply chain, but they are often overlooked in ordinary social compliance programmes. This additional programme is designed to evaluate the ethical performance of these workers, hence providing a full picture of the supply chain’s social performance at different tiers.
SMETA 2-Pillar and 4-Pillar protocols are applicable to this Sedex Supplement Audit for Distributed Workforce programme with an adapted audit approach. It consists of the sampling of operational sites (where workers are deployed) to conduct worker interviews and working conditions assessments, as well as visits to the back offices of the services providers to review management systems and documentation.