SA8000 Social Accountability

This is the most widely recognised global standard for managing human rights in the workplace. It provides a comprehensive and flexible system for managing ethical workplace conditions throughout global supply chains. SA 8000 is a certifiable standard allowing an organisation to not only state that it complies but that it is independently verified.

The standard sets out requirements that cover:-

  • Child Labour and Forced Labour
  • Health and Safety
  • Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining
  • Discrimination
  • Discipline
  • Working Hours
  • Compensation
  • Management Systems

The standard provides a framework for a Social Accountability Management System that will communicate credibility and confidence, thus sending a strong message to your stakeholders that you operate your business in a fair and equitable manner.

A Social Accountability Management System provides a framework for managing social responsibilities so that they become more efficient and more integrated into overall operations. This framework allows an organisation to understand, describe and control its significant social impacts, ensure compliance with legislation and continually improve its business operations.

Who is it relevant to?

SA 8000 may be adopted by any organisation of any size. It is very relevant to those organisations wishing to foster good customer relations and those reliant on long supply chains.

What are the benefits?

Benefits include:-

  • Drives company values into action.
  • Enhances company and brand reputation.
  • Improves employee recruitment, retention and productivity.
  • Supports better supply chain management and performance.
  • Provides clear and credible assurance to customers for ethical purchasing decisions.

SA 8000 certification can be used as an effective sales and marketing tool, giving your company the competitive edge. By demonstrating an innovative and forward thinking approach to social accountability issues, you will not only improve morale within your company, but will also lead to a better public perception of your company.

Publicising your commitment to social accountability will raise your company’s profile and also lead to better community awareness of social activities. It will also demonstrate your commitment to social accountability and provide confidence and credibility to your customers, trade partners, stakeholders, regulators and local authorities.

Why choose Blackmores?

Blackmores is a unique management systems consultancy that specialises in implementing management systems. We make the transition to successful accreditation painless, cost effective and timely allowing you time to focus on what you do best – running your business. Blackmores will help you to successfully achieve SA 8000 certification and as a result you will see significant improvements in customer relations and provide opportunities to become ‘preferred suppliers’, giving you the edge over your competitors. Through Social Accountability Management System certification, commercial gain as well as social benefits can be realised.

Blackmores also provide a unique ‘Q-Care’ service that provides you with a dedicated Social Accountability Manager to maintain your Social Accountability Management System.

To find out how your business could improve its social accountability by implementing a Social Accountability Management System, contact Blackmores on 01462 731242 or e-mail enquiries@bqms.co.uk

  

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