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Scope
SA 8000
Many business houses understand that a company's social accountability is a competitive asset. But companies find it difficult to deliver on and verify corporate responsibility when dealing with a huge net work of suppliers, contractors, institutions, and their customers. The first approach was to adopt internal code of conduct.
This approach had several flaws
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Internal code of conducts is expensive proposition. |
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Many a times, they are inefficient, since laws and customs vary widely. |
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Codes were perceived as a proprietary form of managerial jurisprudence, applicable only to a section of employees. When transgression takes places, corrective actions are largely not transparent. |
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Supply chains, catering to different customers, having to undergo multiple audits to different set of requirements. Sometimes individual auditors interpret these requirements differently, without being sensitive to the cultural practices. A point in case is the insistence of an auditor, while carrying out a code of conduct audit at Nepal on behalf of a German client, wanted all toilets to be provided with toilet papers, arguing about unhygienic practices! |
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The next approach was introduction of a model similar to ISO 9000, with a set of requirements, which are credible, auditable and certifiable by third parties. With a basic system management approach like PDCA, the standard aims at continual improvement. Sa 8000 is a performance standard covering nine essential areas - where companies must amply with relevant local legislature and SA 8000 requirements. |
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These areas are
Child labour, forced labour, health & safety, freedom of association & collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, compensation and management practices.
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Auditors are required to gather information from interested parties - NGO's, trade unions, workers etc. |
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The complaints and appeals process allows workers and interested parties to raise non-compliance issues and bring it to the notice of certification bodies and Social Accountability International. |
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SA 8000 is based on 12 ILO conventions, the UN declaration of human rights and the UN convention on the rights of the child. |
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