Sustainability is one of the most significant global challenges. Organizations are increasingly required to demonstrate proactive management of the ethical and responsible performance and impacts of their business operations; and this expands beyond the organization itself throughout its entire supplier chain.
Stakeholder demands are increasing and ethical performance expectations are becoming more prevalent.
Organizations need to understand and monitor global spread supplier chains, while effectively cooperating with such business partners in driving continual improvement. At the same time, suppliers need to demonstrate their ethical commitment and undertaking, while sometimes facing the challenge of various specifications, codes and standards required by their customers.
Sedex is a not-for-profit global membership organization, with its Head Office based in London (UK), dedicated to driving ethical improvements in global supply chains. Sedex global collaborative platform provides an effective solution for sharing ethical data among business partners, supporting an effective supply chain management and improvement of practices.
Sedex SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is a common audit methodology and report developed by Sedex members in order to meet multiple customer requirements and reduce duplication of effort in ethical auditing.
IQNet Ltd is a Sedex Affiliate Audit Company with the ability to conduct SMETA audits and access the functionalities of the Sedex Advance Platform.
By implementing the SMETA principles and undergoing a SMETA ethical audit, organisations can demonstrate their commitment and progress to ethically responsible business practices.
IQNet Ltd is a Sedex Affiliate Audit Company with the ability to conduct SMETA audits and access the functionalities of the Sedex Advance Platform.
By implementing the SMETA principles and undergoing a SMETA ethical audit, organisations can demonstrate their commitment and progress to ethically responsible business practices.
Benefits for retailers and their suppliers
- Enabled collaboration;
- Improved supplier relationships and supplier chain management;
- Protected and enhanced reputation and reduced reputational risk;
- Improved competitive position for suppliers;
- Demonstrated commitment by all parties to improve ethical performance;
- Retailer confidence in their supplier's implementation of ethical work practices;
- Transparency and trust through independently verified compliance (through SMETA audits);
- Reduced duplicate auditing and multiplied information channels (through SMETA audits);
- Undergoing an assessment based on a methodology commonly accepted by more than 800 Sedex A and AB members (prerequisite for commerce).
Benefits for workers
- Improved worker morale;
- Fair, safe and equitable work environment;
- Improved working conditions;
- Fair and continuously improving ethical practices;
- Culture oriented towards health and safety at work and environmental protection.
What is SEDEX
A SMETA audit is based on:
- The 9 elements of the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) code which form the measurement criteria with local law;
- Specific requirements for Universal Rights covering United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP), Management Systems, Responsible Recruitment, Sub-contracting and Homeworking Entitlement to Work and Immigration, Environment and Business Ethics.
Process
IQNet Ltd SMETA assessment provides independent assurance and confidence on the progress in the implementation of an organisation’s ethical and socially responsible practices.IQNet Ltd Capabilities:
- Global coverage using local resources
- Qualified auditing resources, proficient in regional labor laws and local languages
- Upload of the audit reports in Sedex Advance Platform and follow-up of the improvement initiatives
Audit Process Overview
Application: An application is signed and the audit planning process is initiated.Audit Initiation: The audit is launched in Sedex Advance.
On-site Audit: Full system assessment to verify conformance of the organisation systems, policies, procedures and practices with SMETA requirements.
Audit Report Upload in Sedex Platform: Upon the completion of the SMETA audit, the audit report and related corrective action plan report are uploaded in Sedex Advance.
Audit Follow-up: Follow-up of the organisation’s corrections and corrective actions to address any identified weaknesses. Can be done through a desktop review of the evidence provided by the organisation in Sedex Advance or through an on-site visit.
Regular Audits: Periodic audits will be conducted to ensure that effective implementation of the SMETA requirements is being maintained.
