Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA)

SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is an ethical-trade AUDIT METHODOLOGY developed by Sedex. It is not a certification scheme, and no certificate results; the output is an audit report and corrective action plan uploaded to the Sedex platform. It can be done as two-pillar or four-pillar: two pillars cover labour standards and health and safety, and four pillars add environment and business ethics to these.

• Manufacturers supplying UK and European retail
• Suppliers of Sedex-member brands
• Facilities wanting to present the same audit report to multiple customers
• Manufacturers wanting to reduce their social-compliance audit burden

Not mandatory; it is carried out at customer request. SMETA's core benefit is reducing repeat audits: once the report is shared on the Sedex platform, every authorised customer can see the same report, reducing the need for a separate audit for each customer.

• Pillar 1 — Labour standards: child labour, forced labour, freedom of association, discrimination, working hours, wages, regular employment, harsh or inhumane treatment
• Pillar 2 — Health and safety: risk assessment, fire safety, machine safety, chemicals, PPE, dormitory and facility conditions
• Pillar 3 — Environment (in the four-pillar audit): permits, waste, emissions, energy and water management
• Pillar 4 — Business ethics (in the four-pillar audit): bribery, corruption, transparency
• Management systems and subcontractors/recruitment agents
• Worker interviews and records review (payroll, time records, personnel files)
• Drawing up the audit report (SAR) and the corrective action plan report (CAPR)
• Uploading to the Sedex platform and authorising sharing with customers

1. 1Determining Scope and ProgrammeThe sites and processes to be audited, and the audit duration the scheme requires, are determined.
2. 2Pre-assessmentA gap analysis is optionally carried out; gaps become visible before the main audit.
3. 3On-site AuditRecords review, site observation and worker interviews are carried out against the scheme's checklist.
4. 4Reporting of FindingsFindings are reported according to the scheme's classification. The output of these schemes is an audit report, not a certificate.
5. 5Corrective Action and Follow-upA corrective action plan is submitted for the findings; it is closed with a follow-up audit under the scheme.

The validity period of audit reports is set by the scheme and is mostly between one and two years. The report is used for the period the buying brand accepts.

• Organisation and site details
• Headcount and shift pattern
• Legal permits and licences
• Relevant policies and procedures
• Payroll, time and personnel records

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of sites to be audited and the headcount
• The audit duration the scheme prescribes
• Whether a pre-assessment (gap analysis) is requested
• Whether a follow-up audit is required

Most of these schemes produce audit reports, not documents, and are subject to the scheme owner's (e.g. Sedex, amfori, RBA) own approval system; Accreditation in the classical sense is not found in every scheme. Auditor competence and report validity are determined by the scheme owner's rules.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• SedexSedex Membership and Ethical Data Sharing
• amfori BSCIamfori BSCI Social Compliance
• RBAResponsible Business Alliance
• Social Compliance Audit
• Ethical Trade Audit
• Human Rights Due Diligence
• SA8000Social Accountability
• WRAPWorldwide Responsible Accredited Production