SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit)

SMETA is a comprehensive assessment methodology developed by Sedex, focusing on labor, safety, environment, and business ethics within the supply chain. It is not a certification but a tool to help businesses improve working conditions, enhance transparency, and comply with international regulations. Applying SMETA brings benefits such as meeting international partner requirements, enhancing reputation, improving workplace environment, and reducing legal risks. The consulting process includes current state assessment, improvement planning, staff training, system implementation, internal audit, and support for official audits. SMETA is suitable for factories, suppliers, and exporters aiming to ensure social responsibility in their operations.

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SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is one of the ethical and social responsibility assessment standards developed by Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange).
SMETA is not a certification program but an audit process that evaluates compliance with labor ethics, health and safety, environmental management, and business integrity requirements within the supply chain.

Key elements of SMETA:

  • Labor standards: Compliance with labor rights, working hours, wages, and prohibition of forced labor.

  • Health and safety: Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment.

  • Environment: Minimizing environmental impact and complying with legal regulations.

  • Business ethics: Conducting transparent and honest business practices.

  • Current version: SMETA 6.1 (2023).

Benefits of Implementation

Cost Savings

  • Reduce costs related to conducting multiple labor and social audits.

Objectives and Requirements

  • Optimize the process of data collection and information sharing with customers or partners.

Ensure Transparency

  • Improve accessibility and usability of data for stakeholders.

Reduce Audit Burden

  • Alleviate pressure on factories and businesses from performing overlapping audits.

Enhance Reputation

  • Demonstrate the company’s commitment to labor rights and social responsibility.

Support Continuous Improvement

  • Data helps businesses identify issues and implement necessary improvements.

Applicable Scope

Factories and Production Facilities:

  • Manufacturing sites in industries such as textiles, footwear, electronics, food, and many others.

Supply Chain Businesses:

  • Organizations aiming to ensure social responsibility and ethical practices within the supply chain.

Exporters and Suppliers:

  • Suppliers to brands or retailers that require SMETA audits.

Required Information

Organization Information:

  • Workforce size: Scale of operations and type of production.
  • Current production and management processes.

Policies and Management Documents:

  • Labor policies, health and safety, environment, and business ethics.
  • Records of working hours, wages, and employee benefits.

Working Conditions:

  • Information on the working environment, safety equipment, and health conditions.
  • Records of past labor or environmental issues.

Supply Chain:

  • List of customers, suppliers, and partners in the supply chain.
  • Partner requirements related to social responsibility.

Objectives and Challenges:

  • Specific goals when applying SMETA.
  • Difficulties or risks encountered in managing social responsibility.

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