SA 8000:2014 Certification

SA 8000:2014 - Social Accountability Standard

Social Accountability International's SA 8000:2001 is globally acknowledged as the most widely recognized standard for managing human rights in the workplace. This auditable standard, applicable to organizations worldwide, establishes a framework to assure stakeholders that social accountability is a 'Common Goal Of Management.

Key Elements of the Standard:

Child Labor: Prohibition of child labor, with policies and procedures for remediation; provision of financial support for affected children to attend school; and conditional employment of young workers.

Forced and Compulsory Labor: No support for forced or compulsory labor, including no required 'deposits'; freedom for personnel to leave premises after work; and no support for human trafficking.

Health and Safety: Provision of a safe workplace, prevention of occupational accidents, appointment of a senior manager for occupational safety and health (OSH), training on OSH for all personnel, risk detection and response systems, accident recordkeeping, and support for new and expectant mothers.

Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining: Respect for the right to form and join trade unions, bargain collectively, and freedom from interference, discrimination, or retaliation.

Discrimination: No discrimination based on various factors, including race, gender, religion, and age, in hiring, remuneration, training, promotion, termination, and retirement.

Disciplinary Practices: Treatment of all personnel with dignity, respect, and zero tolerance for corporal punishment, mental or physical abuse.

Working Hours: Compliance with laws and industry standards, a normal workweek not exceeding 48 hours, one day off following every six consecutive workdays, voluntary overtime not exceeding 12 hours per week, and required overtime only if negotiated in a collective bargaining agreement.

Remuneration: Respect for the right to a living wage, payment of at least the legal minimum wage, wages sufficient to meet basic needs, clear communication of wages and benefits to workers, and prohibition of labor-only contracting and false apprenticeship schemes.

Management Systems: Facilities seeking certification must integrate the standard into their management systems and practices, going beyond simple compliance.