By CAS
SA8000 — Social Accountability
Certify your commitment to ethical labour practices, worker rights, and decent work conditions. SA8000 — the global standard for social accountability in supply chains.
SA8000:2014
SA8000:2014
SA8000
What is Social Accountability Certification?
SA8000 is the world's leading social certification standard, developed by Social Accountability International (SAI). It covers child labour, forced labour, health & safety, freedom of association, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, remuneration, and management systems.
Who Is This For?
Manufacturers, factories, and service organisations in supply chains of major international brands. Required or preferred by a growing number of global buyers in apparel, food, retail, electronics, and consumer goods sectors.
Key Benefits
- Required or preferred by major international brands and retailers
- Demonstrates ethical sourcing to customers and NGOs
- Reduces risk of labour abuse findings in supplier audits
- Improves worker welfare, retention, and productivity
- Listed in SAI's global database of certified facilities
- Recognised by ISEAL and major CSR frameworks
Certification Process
1
Application & Review
Submit your application. CAS reviews your organisation's scope, personnel, sites, and activities to prepare a detailed audit time calculation and formal commercial proposal.
2
Stage 1 — Document Review
On-site or remote review of your management system documentation, readiness assessment, and confirmation of Stage 2 audit scope and plan.
3
Stage 2 — On-site Audit
Full on-site audit of the implemented management system against the standard's requirements. Findings are reported; nonconformities must be closed before certification.
4
Certification Decision
CAS's independent certification committee reviews the audit findings and issues the certificate. The certificate is valid for 3 years.
5
Surveillance & Recertification
Annual surveillance audits (~1/3 of initial audit time) maintain certification. Recertification audit (~2/3 of initial time) is conducted before certificate expiry to renew for a further 3 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
SA8000 is a certification standard — organisations are certified against its requirements for 3 years. SMETA is an audit methodology — it produces an audit report rather than a certificate, and is typically requested by specific buyers.
Many global retailers, brands, and buyers include SA8000 in their supplier requirements — particularly in apparel, food, and consumer goods. It is also recognised by the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI).
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