SEDEX stands for the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange and provides a means for members to effectively manage ethical and responsible practices in the supply chain.
SEDEX Members’ Ethical Trade Audit, or SMETA for short, is a widely applied and accepted audit methodology and report format designed to meet multiple customer requirements.
It encourages suppliers to maintain systems that comply with national laws and the Ethical Trade Initiative base code, which is founded on International Labour conventions.
It is important for suppliers to communicate this code to their employees as well as their own suppliers to maintain utmost transparency.
A 2-Pillar SMETA audit comprises:
A 4-Pillar SMETA audit contains, in addition to the above:
It requires that suppliers maintain systems for delivering compliance with national laws and the ETI base code which is founded on International Labour conventions.
The course also helps senior management to know what to monitor with regards to non-conformances or observations prior to, and at the time of, an audit.