Social Accountability International (SAI) – SA8000 – Web site advice
The SA8000 web site is at www.sa-intl.org
Overview
SAI's first social social accountability system, SA8000, is intended as a way for retailers, brand companies, suppliers and other organisations to maintain just and decent working conditions throughout the supply chain. This advice is intended for companies wiching to achieve the SA8000 standard.
The SA8000 standard and verification system is a tool for assuring humane workplaces which includes:
- A standard that covers all widely accepted international labour rights
- Factory-level management system requirement for ongoing compliance and improvement
- Independent, expert verification of compliance; certification of facilities by auditing bodies accredited by SAI. This ensures auditors have the procedures and resources needed to conduct thorough and objective audits. There are currently nine organisations accredited to do SA8000 certification.
- Involvement by all stakeholders; participation by all key sectors, including workers and trade unions, companies, socially responsible investors, non-governmental organisations and government, in the SA8000 system.
- Public reporting; SA8000 certified facilities are posted on the SAI web site. Companies that join level two of the Corporate Involvement Program (CIP) release annual progress reports verified by SAI.
- Harnessing consumer and investor concern; the SA8000 Certification and Corporate Involvement Program help consumers and and investors to identity and support companies that are commited to assuring human rights in the workplace through demonstrated compliance with the SA8000 Standard Elements