SA8000 — Social Accountability
Certification of an organisation's social accountability management system against SA8000:2026, the standard on labour rights and working conditions developed by Social Accountability International (SAI). Issued By CAS under its own authority, outside the EGAC accredited scope, with no EGAC or IAF mark; verifiable on CAS CertSearch.
Standard
SA8000:2026
Service type
By CAS
Issued under
CAS — own authority
What it is
SA8000 is a social certification standard for decent work, developed by Social Accountability International (SAI) and first published in 1997. SA8000:2026 is the current edition, revised through a multi-stakeholder process. The standard is grounded in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), ILO Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the ETI Base Code. It establishes both principles for human rights protection and specific criteria for organisations to demonstrate respect for workers' rights throughout their operations and business relationships.
Who needs it
Organisations of any size, sector or location — manufacturers, farms and service organisations among them — that want an independent audit of their labour practices against SA8000:2026. Where a buyer requires an SA8000 certificate issued under SAAS accreditation, a certificate issued By CAS does not meet that requirement.
Benefits of certification
- An independent third-party audit of labour practices against SA8000:2026
- Evidence of a documented social accountability management system for customers and other stakeholders
- Worker interviews and on-site verification in every certification audit
- Annual surveillance audits across the three-year certification cycle
- Can be audited together with ISO 45001, ISO 9001 or UNI/PdR 125 where the scopes overlap
- Verifiable online on CAS CertSearch
Audit process
CAS's SA8000 certification follows an initial two-stage audit: Stage 1 (document review and readiness assessment) and Stage 2 (full on-site assessment including worker interviews, document review and facility inspection). Annual surveillance audits and recertification every 3 years maintain the certificate. The certificate is issued By CAS, outside CAS's EGAC accreditation. It is not issued under SAAS accreditation, so it does not appear in the public SA8000 list of certified facilities; it is verifiable on CAS CertSearch.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
What is the difference between SA8000:2026 and SA8000:2014?
SA8000:2026 is the current edition, published January 2026. It strengthens the management systems framework with explicit alignment to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and OECD Due Diligence guidelines. The nine substantive elements remain, with enhanced criteria for due diligence, grievance mechanisms, and worker participation.
How does SA8000 differ from SMETA?
SA8000 is a certification standard: CAS issues a certificate valid for 3 years, maintained through annual surveillance audits. SMETA is an audit methodology that produces an audit report rather than a certificate; it has no pass/fail outcome and is typically requested by specific buyers.
Who requires SA8000 certification?
Some global retailers, brands and buyers include SA8000 in their supplier requirements, particularly in apparel, food and consumer goods. Check your buyer's requirement before applying: where a buyer asks specifically for an SA8000 certificate issued under SAAS accreditation, a certificate issued By CAS does not meet that requirement.
Does SA8000 cover subcontractors and home workers?
Yes. SA8000:2026 requires organisations to apply due diligence to their entire supply chain and business relationships — not just direct employees. Subcontractors, home workers, and suppliers are within scope of the management system requirements.
How long does SA8000 certification take?
Typically 3–6 months from application to certificate issuance, depending on the size of the organisation and the degree of existing compliance. On request, CAS can conduct an optional pre-audit that flags areas to develop before the formal certification audit, without giving advice on solutions.
Ready to certify against SA8000:2026?
Tell us about your organisation and scope — we’ll come back with a costed proposal, usually within two business days. No obligation.