SA8000 Social Accountability
Key Principles of SA8000:2014:
- Child Labor: The employment of children under the age of 15 is prohibited. For developing countries approved for exceptions under ILO Convention 138, the minimum permissible age is 14 years.
- Forced Labor: Forced labor is prohibited, including labor performed by prisoners or those sentenced to forced labor. Employers or other hired firms are not allowed to retain workers' identity documents.
- Health and Safety: Ensuring health and safety at work through measures to prevent injuries; conducting regular training on health and safety; implementing a system for identifying health and safety hazards; and providing access to sanitary facilities and drinking water.
- Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining: The right to organize and join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining is respected. Where there are legal restrictions on these rights, alternative forms of association and bargaining must be provided.
- Discrimination: Discrimination based on race, caste, origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, trade union membership, political affiliation, or age is prohibited. Sexual harassment is also prohibited.
- Disciplinary Practices: Corporal punishment, psychological or physical abuse, and verbal harassment are prohibited.
- Working Hours: Working hours must comply with legal requirements but should not exceed 48 hours per week, with at least one day off for every seven-day period. Overtime, when necessary, must be paid at a higher rate and should not exceed 12 hours per week unless part of a collective bargaining agreement.
- Remuneration: Wages for a standard workweek must meet legal and industry standards and be sufficient to satisfy the basic needs of workers and their families. Disciplinary fines are prohibited.
- Management Systems: Organizations seeking certification under SA8000 should go beyond mere compliance with the standard's requirements and implement management systems that maintain a high level of social accountability.
SA8000 Social Accountability
Implementation of management standards
CONSEJO Ltd. is a consulting company with over 20 years of practical experience in the development, implementation and maintenance of management systems in accordance with international standards and regulatory requirements. The company provides consulting services in the areas of quality management, environmental management, occupational health and safety, food safety, information security, cybersecurity, risk management and sustainable development. Our expertise covers standards and schemes such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, ISO/IEC 27001, IFS Food, BRCGS and HACCP, as well as consulting services related to NIS2, DORA, GDPR and EcoVadis.
The CONSEJO team has been involved in over 1,500 projects for organizations across various sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, construction, energy, information technology, transport, trade, the food industry and services. Our approach focuses on developing management systems that work effectively in practice, tailored to the specific characteristics and needs of each organization. We work closely with our clients, providing consulting support, staff training and assistance during implementation. We strive to deliver high-quality services within the agreed deadlines and solutions that support successful certification and create long-term value for businesses.
