What is SA8000 Certification?

SA8000 Certification is an attestation issued to a company having met the criteria and standards of SA8000. SA8000 was established in 1989 by a coalition of corporate organizations. It is an international workplace-quality standard or an auditable certification standard that fosters social accountability and other appropriate practices in the workplace. 

The SA8000 certification follows the standards and practices of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The criteria for SA8000 certification emanated from the resolutions of various industries on social accountability and standard organizational practices. Hence, before a company can have SA8000 certification, it must undergo the assessment of SA8000.

SA8000 Certification

The criteria for SA8000 certification are quite clear, any interested organization must be audited by SA800. The principles of SA800 are also crystal clear, these principles rest on human right practises, social accountability, health and safety among others. The aim of the certification is to ensure that there is compliance to organizational standards. However, organizations are not just required to comply with the standards but also maintain these standards. 

Certification of SA800 also require an organization to undergo an assessment on corporate practice and evaluation by SA800. Any organization having complied with the conventions of International Labour Organization, International Human Rights, ISO standards among others is proven worthy of SA8000 certification. Under SA800 certification, the performance of an organization is measured in eight areas. These areas are considered vital for social accountability, human right practises among other international standards. These eight performance criteria are;

1. Child Labor: The organization must not be found using child labor, the employment of young workers should also be conditional.
2. Disciplinary Practices: Every worker should be treated fairly and humanely. No regard for abuse of employee, harsh punishment or corporal punishment.
3. Discrimination: The organization should not show discrimination in the following areas; race, colour, religion, ideologies, recruitment, training, remuneration and compensation, gender, promotion and orientation.
4. Health and Safety: Each workplace should make provision for the health and safety of workers. This include access to medical care, prevention of accidents, hygienic workplace, among others.
5. Working Hours: The organization just comply with the standard working hours. No overuse of workers or overtime is permitted.
6. Forced and Compulsory Labor: No use of forced labor, people should be recruited of their own accord.
7. Remuneration: Appropriate wage should be allotted to employees, no disregard for human rights or insufficient wages. Remuneration should meet the basic needs of employees.
8. Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining: Organizations must respect the right of employees to form and join trade unions of their choice.

The certification is accredited by SAAS (Social Accountability Accreditation Services) but granted by independent certification bodies. There is a total number of 23 certification bodies globally with the accreditation of SAAS. Also, 3,231 firms and facilities have been certified as at June 30, 2013.