Social environment management systems
The SA 8000 standard was developed by Social Accountability International (SAI), an International Organization for social responsibility headquartered in New York, USA.
The SA 8000 standard is an international standard created to improve working conditions in various countries around the world. This standard is based on the principles of the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Declaration on Universal Human Rights. The requirements are aimed at ensuring the protection, respectful treatment and safety of employees, as well as the exclusion of cases of violation of human rights in the process of labor relations.
The SA 8000 standard applies to the activities of any organization that cares about its employees, company image and brand, and wants to demonstrate to interested parties its commitment to the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility. Certification for compliance with the SA 8000 standard is particularly relevant for manufacturing companies that are or plan to become suppliers of major global brands, as well as for companies that operate or plan to enter the international market.
Confirmation of compliance with the requirements of the SA 8000 standard is the presence of a certificate from a certification body accredited by the SAAS (Social Accountability Accreditation Services) organization. SAAS is an organization specifically established by SAI to carry out the accreditation of certification bodies.
The SA 8000 standard contains requirements for such elements of the organization’s social responsibility system:
- Child labor;
- Forced or compulsory labor;
- Occupational health and safety;
- Freedom of association and the right to conclude collective agreements;
- Discrimination;
- Disciplinary practice;
- Working hours;
- Reward;
- Management system.
Benefits of implementation and certification:
Having passed the certification of the social responsibility management system for compliance with the requirements of the SA 8000 standard, the company gets the opportunity:
- demonstrate to all interested parties the commitment of the organization’s management to the requirements of Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Treatment of its employees in accordance with international standards;
- improve manageability and productivity throughout the supply chain;
- manage risks and opportunities arising in the social sphere;
- improve working conditions and organizational culture, increase employee interest;;
- ensure compliance with international standards and reduce the risk of negligence, public exposure and possible legal proceedings;
- improve your company and brand image;
- strengthen the loyalty of employees, customers, and interested parties;
- attract new investments as a socially oriented company;
- demonstrate proper social responsibility when participating in competitions for state and international projects or expanding business at the local level;
- integrate social responsibility management with existing management systems.