Sedex–SMETA assessment criteria

SMETA is an audit and improvement methodology, not a certification scheme. Sedex currently identifies SMETA 7 as its latest version. Audits must be performed through an approved AAC, and the business needs an active Sedex membership.

Sedex — SMETA

The list below preserves the SMETA Measurement Criteria 5.0 structure, December 2014, which replaced version 4.0 of May 2012. It is historical reference, not a current SMETA 7 checklist.

Historical criteria groups

• 0. Management systems assessment
• 1. Employment is freely chosen
• 2. Freedom of association
• 3. Health and safety
• 4. Child labour
• 5. Wages and benefits
• 6. Working hours
• 7. Discrimination
• 8. Regular employment
• 8A. Subcontracting and homeworking
• 9. No harsh or inhumane treatment
• 10. Other issues
• 10A. Entitlement to work
• 10B2. Environment — 2-Pillar
• 10B4. Environment — 4-Pillar
• 10C. Business ethics
• 11. Community benefits

Sedex model from the original article

A/AB members join and invite suppliers; map the supply chain; perform an initial assessment.

Assess risk using country, product area, site profile and the self-assessment questionnaire. The diagram branches to no action or an audit.

Audits feed continual improvement and compliance, followed by verification and required improvement actions in a cycle.

The diagram’s principles state that suppliers own their data and control access, and member companies cannot see each other’s supply chains.

Reference document

SMETA Measurement Criteria 5.0 — 12/2014