Buyer confidence
A recognised answer to brands' and retailers' social compliance requirements.
Certification support
SA8000 Social Accountability
Current edition: SA8000:2026, Standard for Decent Work
The social certification standard for decent work, developed by Social Accountability International. It covers workers' rights and working conditions, with a management system that keeps them in place, and is widely recognised by brands and buyers in global supply chains.
2026New edition
SA8000:2026 replaces SA8000:2014
SAI published SA8000:2026 on 1 January 2026. Audits to the new edition are being introduced through 2026, new certifications and recertifications are expected to use SA8000:2026 from 2027, and certified organisations are expected to recertify to it by 31 May 2029. The new edition adds foundational criteria and a restructured management system.
What the standard covers
Decent work, managed
SA8000 sets performance requirements on working conditions, backed by a management system that identifies risks, involves workers and drives improvement.
Child labour
No use of child labour, with remediation where it is found.
Forced labour
No forced or compulsory labour, including through recruitment practices.
Health and safety
A safe and healthy workplace, with hazards identified and controlled.
Freedom of association
Respect for the right to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively.
Non-discrimination
No discrimination in hiring, pay, promotion or termination.
Fair discipline
No corporal punishment, coercion or abusive treatment.
Working hours
Working time within legal limits and the standard's requirements.
Remuneration
Wages that meet legal minimums and work towards a decent standard of living.
Why organisations implement it
What SA8000 delivers
Fewer repeat audits
One certification can reduce the number of separate buyer audits.
Human rights due diligence
A structured approach that supports emerging due diligence laws.
Worker engagement
Worker representatives involved in identifying and fixing problems.
Lower risk
Labour risks found and addressed before they become incidents or headlines.
Works with ISO 45001
Health and safety requirements align with your OH&S system.
How we work
Path to certification
One AEC methodology from first assessment to certificate, delivered by registered lead auditors.
- AssessGap assessment against SA8000:2026, scope and roadmap
- DesignProcesses, risk register, policy and documented information
- ImplementProcesses embedded with coaching for process owners
- TrainAwareness for all staff and internal auditor development
- VerifyInternal audit, management review and mock certification audit
- Certify & sustainStage 1 and Stage 2 support, then surveillance readiness
Full implementation
We build the management system, policies and worker engagement from the start.
Typically 9 to 12 monthsGap remediation
We close gaps between existing buyer audits and SA8000 requirements.
Typically 6 to 9 monthsTransition
We take your system to SA8000:2026 ahead of recertification.
Typically 3 to 5 months
Who certifies
Certification by SAAS-accredited bodies
SA8000 certificates are issued only by conformity assessment bodies accredited by Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS). AEC prepares you for that audit; the certification decision is theirs.
Independent
We help you select a SAAS-accredited body suited to your location and buyers.
Audit-ready
Self-assessment, worker engagement and corrective actions completed before the audit.
No guarantees
We prepare you thoroughly and never promise an outcome only an independent auditor can decide.
Where it applies
SA8000 by industry
Manufacturing · garments, textiles, electronics and components
Food & beverage · agriculture and processing
Construction · labour-intensive projects
Transport & logistics · warehousing and contract labour
Related standards
Questions
SA8000 FAQ
Does AEC issue SA8000 certificates?
No. SA8000 certificates are issued only by conformity assessment bodies accredited by SAAS. AEC prepares your organisation for that audit.
Which edition should we certify to?
SA8000:2026 is the current edition. Organisations certifying for the first time should build to it. Certified organisations are expected to recertify to SA8000:2026 by 31 May 2029.
How is SA8000 different from a buyer social audit?
Buyer audits check conditions at a point in time against each buyer's code. SA8000 is a certifiable standard with a management system that keeps conditions in place between audits.
Does SA8000 cover our suppliers?
SA8000 expects you to manage social performance in your supply chain through due diligence and supplier engagement. We help you set a proportionate approach.
Start your SA8000 programme
Tell us your sites, workforce and buyers. We reply with a proposal covering gap assessment, management system design and readiness for certification.
SA8000 certification decisions are made by SAAS-accredited conformity assessment bodies. AEC prepares organisations for certification and does not guarantee certification outcomes.