SA8000 Capabilities
Presentation
a. SA8000 – An overview
b. The need for SA8000
c. IQNet - Global SA8000 capability
d. Introduction to IQNet Ltd
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a. SA8000 – An overview
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a. SA8000 – An overview
What is SA8000
- Standard for the improvement of working conditions
- Promotes ethical and fair treatment of workers
- Incorporates international human rights conventions
- Developed by Social Accountability International (SAI), now known
as Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS)
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a. SA8000 – An overview
Why have a Standard
 to ensure that labour standards for workers are respected
 to be transparent and use an independent verification of
company practices
 to avoid practices that violate human rights and avoid
turning a ‘blind eye’ to suppliers which violate human rights
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Development of SA8000
a. SA8000 – An overview
World Conventions:
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Freedom of association & collective bargaining
Freedom from forced labor
Abolition of child labor
Freedom from discrimination
Also covers Fairness:
• Provisions for a basic living wage
• Definition of long working hours
• Health and safety in the workplace
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a. SA8000 – An overview
What does SA8000 cover
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Child Labor
Forced Labor
Health & Safety
Freedom of Association & Right to Collective Bargaining
Discrimination
Disciplinary Practices
Working Hours
Remuneration
Management Systems
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a. SA8000 – An overview
What does SA8000 cover
Company
2nd Tier
Supplier
Supplier
Sub-supplier
Supplier
Supplier
Sub-supplier
Supplier
Supplier
Sub-supplier
Supply Chain
1st Tier
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a. SA8000 – An overview
Who is involved
UNIONS
SHAREHOLDERS
NGOs
MULTI-NATIONALS
HUMAN RIGHTS
GROUPS
WORKERS
SUPPLY CHAIN
CERTIFYING BODIES
CONSUMERS
GOVERNMENTS
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b. The need for SA8000
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b. The need for SA8000
Why now
Need to standardise suitable working conditions:
• around the world due to ‘globalisation’
• because of varying codes of conduct in different industries
• to have a standardised certification process (assess conformity)
• to establish a baseline for consistency and comparison
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b. The need for SA8000
Impacts of globalisation:
 Greater expansion of markets
 Job shifts from developed to developing countries
 Competition between countries to be low-cost producers
and attract investors
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b. The need for SA8000
Effects of globalisation:
Benefits:
- More business opportunities
- Economic growth potential
Disadvantages:
- Declining workplace conditions
- Wages that do not support a family
- Less job security
- More restrictions on trade unions
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b. The need for SA8000
Triple Bottom Line
ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
SUSTAINABILITY
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b. The need for SA8000
Managing business risks:
Bully
supervisors
Excessive overtime
hours
Death
Neglect of safety
equipment
Less Productivity
Higher Reject Rate
Discrimination
Wages not enough
to live on
Suppliers not
truthful
Injury
Buyer Boycott
Brand Value
Children hired in
secret
Illegal
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b. The need for SA8000
Example - Child Labour
Regional Estimates:
Courtesy of
 Asia Pacific region
127.3 million child workers (aged 5-14 years old)
 Sub-Saharan Africa
29% of children (under 15) are sent to work
 Latin America
17.4 million child workers
 Industrialised & transition economies
2.5 million children are working
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b. The need for SA8000
Example - Child Labour
Courtesy of UNICEF
Courtesy of ILO
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b. The need for SA8000
Business Impact
OUTCOMES:
- Damaged reputation
- Brand devaluation
- Consumer boycott
Sialkot Pakistan
NIKE was accused of
using child labour in
the production of its
footballs in Pakistan.
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c. IQNet - Global SA8000 capability
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c. IQNet - Global SA8000 capability
IQNet Capabilities
Global Certification:
- About 20 IQNet Partners SA8000 capable
- More than 60 auditors qualified
- Potential coverage exceeding 50 countries
Local Service Delivery:
- Auditing resources locally deployed
- Knowledge of local labour laws / codes
- Local language capabilities (essential for worker interviews)
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c. IQNet - Global SA8000 capability
IQNet Capabilities
Credibility and Consistency:
- IQNet Partners : Leaders in their region
- Key stakeholder involvement (eg UNICEF)
- Auditing resources “calibrated” (global training initiative)
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c. IQNet - Global SA8000 capability
IQNet Certification Path
Application
Pre-Visit
Certification
Audit
Surveillance
Audit
Re-certification
Audit
IQNet SA8000 Assessment Process
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d. Introduction to IQNet Ltd
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Accreditation Granted 1st May 2007
Tony Di Palma
Managing Director
Bollwerk 31
P.O. Box
CH-3001 Bern
Switzerland
Phone +41 31 310 24 40
Fax +41 31 310 24 49
Mobile +41 79 830 43 21
tony.dipalma@iqnet.ch
www.iqnet-ltd.com
Contact Details