Outsourced Service
SMETA / SEDEX Social Audits
SMETA 2-Pillar and 4-Pillar social audits for SEDEX members — the most widely used ethical trade audit globally. CAS conducts both pillar options required by major international buyers.
SMETA 4-Pillar
SMETA 4-Pillar
SMETA
What is SMETA & SEDEX Audits?
SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is the most widely used ethical trade audit in the world. Developed by Sedex, SMETA audits assess suppliers against four pillars: Labour, Health & Safety, Environment, and Business Ethics. Results are shared directly on the Sedex platform, visible to all your buyer members.
Who Is This For?
Factories, farms, and service providers whose customers require SEDEX membership and SMETA audit reports — common in food, apparel, retail, electronics, and fresh produce supply chains.
Key Benefits
- Single audit report accepted by multiple buyers — reduce audit fatigue
- Results uploaded directly to Sedex — visible to all your buyer connections
- 4-Pillar coverage: Labour + Health & Safety + Environment + Business Ethics
- Internationally recognised — required by Tesco, M&S, Walmart, Carrefour
- Supports supply chain transparency and ESG reporting
- Reduces duplication of multiple buyer-specific audits
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.
SMETA 2-Pillar vs 4-Pillar — Which Do You Need?
CAS conducts both SMETA 2-Pillar (Labour + Health & Safety) and SMETA 4-Pillar (+ Environment + Business Ethics). Most major buyers now require 4-Pillar.
4-Pillar — Detailed Coverage:
Labour
Working hours, wages, contracts, child & forced labour, discrimination, freedom of association
Health & Safety
Workplace safety, fire safety, chemical handling, emergency procedures
Environment
Waste management, emissions, water usage, environmental compliance
Business Ethics
Anti-bribery, anti-corruption, sub-contracting transparency
Frequently Asked Questions
SMETA 2-Pillar covers Labour and Health & Safety only. SMETA 4-Pillar adds Environment and Business Ethics. Most major buyers now require 4-Pillar audits. CAS conducts 4-Pillar by default.
SMETA audit reports are typically valid for 1–2 years depending on buyer requirements. They are uploaded to the Sedex platform where buyers can access them directly.
Yes. Your facility must be registered on the Sedex platform before a SMETA audit can be uploaded. CAS can guide you through the registration process.
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