SEDEX MEMBERS ETHICAL TRADE AUDITS (SMETA) Consumer Products Services

Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services
SEDEX MEMBERS ETHICAL TRADE AUDITS (SMETA)
For a responsible Supply Chain
THE CHALLENGE
Retailers and brands are under constant pressure to monitor and understand their
supply chains. Revelations of unfair or unsafe labour practices, corruption, or
environmental negligence in the supply chain can damage a company’s reputation and
lead to a loss of revenue. Suppliers are therefore under continuous pressure to provide
ethical data to various customers and undergo multiple audits to comply with different
ethical codes of practice and standards.
WHAT IS SEDEX?
SEDEX, the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange, is a non-profit membership organisation
dedicated to driving ethical business practices in the supply chain. Its 23,000 members
globally include retailers, manufacturers and audit bodies such as Bureau Veritas.
SEDEX offers an online database allowing members to store and share
information on key areas: labour standards, health & safety, environment and
business practices.
I am a supplier of consumer products: why is SEDEX beneficial to me?
The SEDEX online database is a fast, easy and cost-effective way of sharing ethical
data with your various customers globally. As a supplier, you have the facility to fill out
a self assessment form and post any ethical audit reports, certifications or corrective
action plans. This data is then accessible by your customers and helps demonstrate to
them the efforts you put into improving social compliance. Ultimately, the objective of
the database is to reduce the need for multiple audits, saving you time and money.
WHAT IS A SMETA AUDIT?
Developed by SEDEX, SMETA (SEDEX Members Ethical
Trade Audits) is a common audit methodology and report
format compiling best practices in ethical trade audit
techniques. Many retailers and brands are currently
requesting their suppliers globally to carry out a
SMETA audit in order to prove that ethical trading is
taking place. The scope of a SMETA audit incorporates
both the ETI Base Code and other key ethical related
requirements.
These
include
Sub-Contracting,
Working, Entitlement to Work and Environment.
Home
My client is asking me to carry out a SMETA Audit…
what do I need to do in 10 steps?
1. If you are not yet a member then register on the SEDEX website: www.sedexglobal.com
2. Complete your company and site information, self assessment questionnaire, trading
relationship information etc. on the SEDEX website
3. Book your SMETA audit with Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services by completing
our online booking form at http://www.bvcps.co.uk/ethicalaudit/
4. Bureau Veritas will send you a quote for your SMETA audit
5. Once you have accepted the quote, Bureau Veritas will send you some pre-audit
information
6. Complete Bureau Veritas’ web-based SMETA pre-audit page at
http://www.bvcps.co.uk/sedexpreaudit. This will enable Bureau Veritas to find your
company and site on the SEDEX database and to later upload the audit report on the
database.
7. The SMETA audit is conducted by a Bureau Veritas’ auditor.
8. The report is uploaded to the SEDEX database by Bureau Veritas.
9. Following the audit, your site needs to implement the corrective actions and upload
objective evidences of the improvements (photos, reports etc.) on the SEDEX database.
10. Bureau Veritas will verify that the corrective actions have been completed – either
through a desktop review via the SEDEX database or via a follow-up site visit.
WHY CHOOSE BUREAU VERITAS FOR YOUR ETHICAL AUDITS?
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services has been involved with SEDEX since its
creation giving us a sound understanding of its processes and organisation
Our prices include desktop reviews – no hidden costs
Easy online audit booking process to save you time and efforts
With over 36 years of experience, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services is widely
recognised by leading retailers and brands around the world
Wide global network: with 10,000 employees across 30 countries, we can support your
business wherever you need and can conduct audits in most sourcing countries
We can combine audits helping you reduce audit fatigue by arranging one visit to cover
multiple audit methodologies and formats. Contact us for more information.
Quick link to Ethical Audits Booking Form:
http://www.bvcps.co.uk/ethicalaudit/
Any questions about SMETA audits and the booking process?
Contact us at Bvsales@uk.bureauveritas.com or call us on 0845 459 6201
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services UK
31 Kingsland Grange, Woolston, Warrington, WA1 4RW
www.bureauveritas.co.uk/cps