Sedex–SMETA audits

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

Sedex works with approved audit companies to support better labour, environmental and ethical performance in supply chains.

Audit professionals contribute to a collaborative system for sharing supply-chain information, developing good practices and discussing social-responsibility challenges and opportunities.

Cooperation and shared reporting help improve the effectiveness of social audits and reduce unnecessary duplication.

Historical development and cooperation

The original article records that Sedex convened its Associate Auditor Groups (AAGs) in 2006. These brought together audit companies, independent practitioners, buyer and supplier members and non-governmental organizations to share and develop good practice.

The original article describes the groups’ contribution to SMETA, combining ethical audit practices in a common approach designed to reduce duplicated effort. SMETA has continued to develop; current audits must use the applicable methodology and approved audit arrangements.

Platform access described in the original article

Independent auditors

The original article described free basic audit accounts for independent auditors to upload and manage audit information. This is historical information and must not be used as current permission to conduct or upload SMETA audits.

Audit companies

The original article described additional functions for managing audit information for multiple locations from a central account. Current access and authorization depend on Sedex’s applicable rules.

Choosing an audit company today

The original statement that any auditor could conduct or upload SMETA audits is obsolete. SMETA audits must be conducted by auditors working through Sedex-approved Affiliate Audit Companies (AACs).

Sedex does not conduct audits itself. Before commissioning a SMETA audit, verify the audit company’s current approval and agree the scope with the buyer and facility. The business must have an active Sedex membership for a full or follow-up SMETA audit.

For current audit-company information, consult Sedex’s official directory.

Sedex — current AAC directory

Audit-company list from the original article — historical reference

All 38 original names are retained for historical reference. Names and approval status may have changed; this list must not be used to establish current authorization.

• * ABS Quality Evaluations Inc.*
• * Accordia*
• * ACTE International
• * ALGI*
• * AsiaInspection (AI)*
• * BSI India
• * Bureau Veritas*
• * Centre Testing International Corporation
• * Control Union Certifications
• * CSR Solutions
• * DNV GL*
• * DQS-UL CFS
• * Elevate*
• * EUROCERT SA
• * Extensive Standard Technical Services Co. Ltd.*
• * Global (ZhongShan) Technical Services Co., Ltd
• * FLO-Cert
• * FSSI Certification
• * Intertek*
• * IQ Net Ltd
• * KSSA*
• * Leverage Limited
• * LSQA
• * MPS-ECAS
• * Partner Africa (formerly Africa Now)*
• * QInspect
• * Reassurance Network*
• * Reliance Technical Service Limited
• * RINA*
• * SGS*
• * SMT Global*
• * TUV Nord Cert
• * TÜV Rheinland*
• * TÜV SÜD*
• * UL – Responsible Sourcing Inc.*
• * Verisio*
• * Wieta*
• * WRAP*

In the original article, an asterisk indicated an active Sedex Associate Auditor Group member at the time of writing.