Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA)
Improving ethical practices throughout the supply chain
World’s most widely used social audit
Developed by Sedex, a global membership organisation, SMETA audits are designed to help protect workers from unsafe conditions, being overworked, discrimination, low pay and forced labour. As the world’s most widely used social audit, SMETA identifies and prioritises the risks using a two or four-pillar audit depending on your needs.
SMETA 2-pillar audit:
1. Labour standards
2. Health and Safety
A 2-pillar audit also looks at management systems, entitlement to work, subcontracting and homeworking and a shortened environmental assessment as additional elements.
SMETA 4-pillar audit:
This is a full SMETA audit and includes the same modules as a 2-pillar audit with the addition of:
3. Environmental assessment (extended)
4. Business Ethics
Completing a SMETA audit not only supports transparency across your supply chain but can drive improved performance of all stakeholders through a comprehensive Corrective Action Plan.
Conducting approximately 18,000 social and environmental audits per year, LRQA has been a member of the Sedex Associate Auditor Group for more than twelve years. LRQA has been awarded the Sedex Responsible Business award – the only audit firm to receive the honour, the only company to have received the award twice.
Benefits of a SMETA audit
A SMETA audit will give your stakeholders confidence that they are working with a sustainable supplier.
Benefits to your business include:
- Greater visibility of the social and environmental performance of both your business and your supply chain,
- The corrective action plan will enable you to prioritise action in the highest risk areas,
- Reduced audit fatigue by having one widely accepted format.
Our Sedex SMETA and Responsible Sourcing Assessment services
Actionable Insight
Our data-driven approach means our expertise in SMETA is underpinned by extensive analytics that address current and future risks within your supply chain.
Corrective Action Plan Management and Training
Expand your knowledge within responsible sourcing with our range of courses via our EiQ Digital Learning library along with Corrective Action Plan management services.
Why work with us
Global capability
We’re everywhere you are. With highly qualified auditors worldwide, we can provide a local service, including SMETA, with a globally consistent dedication to excellence.
Flexible delivery
In many cases, our responsible sourcing services can be delivered on-site or remotely using safe and secure technology. By blending face-to-face and digital methodologies we create a service delivery model to best support your needs.
History of firsts
We were first to receive accreditation to deliver certification services for a range of quality, environmental, and health and safety standards across the globe. And we continue to be instrumental in developing a variety of specific standards including SMETA, across different sectors.
Sustainable focus
With over 20,000+ audits carried out every year, including SMETA, we are one of the world’s largest ESG specialists. We have developed the world’s first end-to-end supply chain ESG due diligence platform, incorporating unique proprietary data that is verified from the ground up.
Would you like to transfer your Responsible Sourcing Assessment services to LRQA?
If you hold a valid certificate with another provider and you are considering making the move, transferring your responsible sourcing services to LRQA is simple. We'll work with you to ensure your transfer is as smooth as possible.
