SMETA audit

What is SMETA?

The Sedex audit framework assessment, particularly, the SMETA (Sedex Member Ethical Trade Audit), and are most used framework. They are meant to assess the extent to which business organizations implement the ethical principles of carrying out business. These audits are done under various standards such as; the ILO conventions and local laws hence making the Sedex audit a very effective way of checkpoint in the supply chain.

SMETA Members Benefit From The Following

Efficient Risk Management: Areas of improvement within the supply chain by Sedex audit process.
Transparency: To get a clearer understanding of labor conditions, health, and safety, environment, and business ethics by conducting a Sedex audit.
Compliance: Meeting global standards in corporate social responsibility by using Sedex audit

Sedex audit makes sure organizations conduct their affairs and their supply chain with integrity and follow healthy business practices.

Components Of SMETA Audit

SMETA consists of four core documents that guide the auditing process:

SMETA Audit Best Practice Guidance: This is a document that provides guidelines for practicing ethical trade audits.
SMETA Measurement Criteria: Criteria employed to assess conformity to ethical factors.
SMETA Audit Report: The Sedex audit report of the findings made during the audit exercise.
SMETA Corrective Action Plan Report (CAPR): A documentation detailing the procedures that will have to be followed to treat any non-conformity found in the Sedex audit.

SMETA Audit Coverage

A SMETA audit can be conducted in two formats:

Why Choose a SMETA Audit?

The role of SMETA audits is to increase the level of transparency in the company, and thus improve a company’s reputation among stakeholders. Such audits are valuable for companies involved in international commerce like Walmart, Flipkart, etc, and other large-scale retailers.

Aspect	SEDEX	SMETA
Definition	Sedex is a global platform for managing ethical data in supply chains.	SMETA is a detailed audit methodology for ethical compliance.
Focus	Sedex focuses on Data sharing and risk management in ethical practices.	Auditing labor, health, safety, environmental, and business ethics.
Audit Type	Sedex is not an audit method, but a platform for sharing data.	An ethical audit based on SEDEX pillars.
Pillars Covered	Sedex supports all four pillars but does not conduct audits.	Focuses on labor, health & safety, environment, and business ethics.
Global Recognition	Sedex is recognized for improving ethical data transparency.	Widely accepted for its comprehensive ethical audits.
Purpose	Sedex enhances transparency in supply chains.	Assesses compliance with ethical trade practices.

Best Practices For SMETA Audit

Prepare for the Audit: The candidate will need to show an understanding of the relating to SMETA and the ETI Base Code. Maintain the highest level of compliance with respect to your policies and procedures by reviewing and updating them.
Gather Documents: Gather all the documents such as contracts, payroll of the employees, and all the training documents. Make everything as precise and current as possible.
Employee Awareness: Give employees an Idea of the upcoming audit, their liberties, and the entire process. Encourage cooperation.
Assign a Coordinator: Choose one staff member and his/her job is to liaise with the auditor, make the access, and answer questions.
Post-Audit Actions: Check the findings and make sure that they are correct and make corrections of any non-conformities, submit proof of correction.

Before the Sedex audit, self-assess using the SMETA checklist to identify areas for improvement.

Why Choose Legal4sure?

Are you willing to improve your company’s ethical compliance and open new markets for yourself? Apply for SEDEX Audit Requirement with Legal4sure now and see the transformation. We offer detailed SEDEX audit to guide you through every step of the certification process, from pre-audit consultation to corrective actions.