March 2001 Insights Issue #36

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Changing standards? A field test for SA8000

Workplace standards are not set in stone. They are work in progress contributing continuously to the development of ethical workplaces world wide. How has SA8000 changed and improved since its inception over three years ago? The wording? Audit methodology? Auditor training? Is the scope and manner of implementation still recognisable?

Social Accountability 8000 is designed to assure humane working conditions through a voluntary standard that includes core labour rights, independent verification of compliance and public reporting. It is based on ILO conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is overseen by an 11-country multistakeholder advisory board including representatives from business, trade unions, human rights organisations, certification bodies, and government. Compliance with SA8000 is verified through:

• regularly scheduled formal certification and surveillance audits

• continuous monitoring by workers in the workplace

• an accessible complaints and appeals system.

Certification to and compliance with SA8000 can help businesses retain and recruit customers and staff, improve productivity, product quality, and improve reputation. Six organisations, headquartered in the USA, the UK, Switzerland, Thailand and Norway, are accredited to conduct third-party audits for compliance with SA8000. SA8000 is also used for internal and second party benchmarking. Facilities have been certified in 12 countries (over half in Asia) and 10 different kinds of workplaces.

Codes of Conduct have evolved considerably since the early nineties and are now more comprehensive and verifiable. The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) codes have a good deal in common with SA8000. SA8000, however, is intended as a verifiable standard whilst a code may or may not be structured in that way. Reporting systems used to consist of an informal announcement that a code existed. Today, formal reporting of certified compliance with all parts of SA8000 is required, including 6-monthly surveillance checks and submitting to the complaint and appeal process.

The wording, scope, and technical aspects of SA8000 are evolving through ongoing activities such as:

• reviewing and revising the Guidance Document - which explains SA8000 and its implementation and is a handbook for auditors and companies seeking certification - based on multistakeholder consultative workshops (Philippines, Brazil, Hungary, USA)

• studying workers' use of codes with the International Textile Garment and Leatherworkers Federation

• assessing auditing techniques and training requirements

• participating in peer review and benchmarking with other NGO accreditation agencies through the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance (ISEAL)

• convening SA8000 members and other businesses to learn about potential for supplier partnerships

• training suppliers in the use and usefulness of codes

• testing SA8000's usability before publication and subsequently in agriculture in Spain, Costa Rica, USA, Honduras and Mexico.

Recently, the 'Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights' were developed by a partnership of businesses, governments and human rights organisations. Although not auditable, their development demonstrates how acceptance of the universality of human rights and the responsibility of all stakeholders to cooperate in assuring these rights has widened and evolved. Research is now needed in the following areas with a view to further change and evolution:

• integration of environmental and workplace standards and verification

• business benefits from use of workplace standards

• consumer use of standards in purchasing decisions

• social and environmental auditing and monitoring by workers and third parties.

• improvements in workplace conditions due to standard implementation

Eileen Kohl Kaufman
Social Accountability International
30 Irving Place
New York
NY 10003
USA
T +212 358 7697
F +212 358 7723
eileen@sa-intl.org