SA8000 was launched in 1997 by AA - Council on Economics Priorities Accreditation Agency, an NGO, later renamed to SAI - Social Accountability International. Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000) is the first global standard for corporate social responsibility.

SA8000 is based on both international human rights´ conventions and satisfying relevant local legislation. It aims to guarantee basic rights of workers involved in the production processes.

The standard is composed of 9 requirements:

• Child labour is not permitted
• Forced labour is not permitted
• Health and safety have to be assured
• Freedom to organise and collective bargaining have to be guaranteed
• Discrimination is not permitted
• Disciplinary practices are not permitted
• Working hours shall not exceed 48 hrs a week, with a maximum of 12 hrs overtime
• Remuneration shall be sufficient
• Management systems shall guarantee that the requirements are effectively satisfied

SA8000 follows the structures of both the Quality Management Standards ISO9000 and the Environment Management Standard ISO14000, and emphasises the importance of an on-going improvement process.

One of the purposes of SA8000 is to bring benefits to companies, employees and consumers by creating a win-win situation.

SA8000 certification also means:

• Improvement of internal organisational relations by showing concern with the workers' situation and by establishing adequate health and safety conditions;
• More and better information disclosure, and, therefore, more consumer confidence;
• Better management of the productive chain;
• Assurance for the company and its investors;
• Consolidated image and reputation of the company as socially responsible.

Please read the BSD document with general information on SA8000 implementation (in *.pdf).

Visit the site of SAI - Social Accountability International: www.sa8000.org