Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA)

Ensuring enterprises to operate in a sustainable manner and follow the principles of responsible business

Business Overview

Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (Sedex SMETA) is a general audit method developed by Sedex members with the purpose of meeting requirements from customers and reducing repetitive work in ethical audits. SMETA audits, based on the fundamental conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO), aim to help workers stay away from unsafe working conditions, overwork, discrimination, low wages and forced labor in all dimensions.

Since 2013 when CQC was authorized by IQNet Ltd to provide Sedex SMETA audit services in Chinese mainland, it has audited more than 20 enterprises, covering industries such as footwear, clothing, toys, food, and textiles.

Benefits

For buyers – Sedex provides an online system that collects and analyzes information on ethical and responsible business practices in an enterprise’s supply chain.

For suppliers – Sedex provides a valid and cost-effective way of sharing ethical information with multiple suppliers, streamlining unnecessary paperwork and saving businesses time and money.

Application Scenarios:

Applicable to small family farms, retailers, consumer brands, first-tier suppliers, large producers, agents, importers, service providers, etc.

Related Business:

Sedex SMETA audits

Implementation Standard:

Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code

Sedex SMETA Audit Process

SMETA Audit

Implement SMETA Audit

Start

Enterprise

Request an audit

SMETA audit by IQNet

Send the audit report in hard format to the enterprise

Is the enterprise registered in the Sedex platform

Upload SMETA audit documents

Is the enterprise registered in the Sedex database or is it already a Sedex member (Class AB or B)

Submit a request in the system to IQNet for uploading the relevant audit report

IQNet authorizes a senior auditor to upload the audit report

The senior auditor representing IQNet uploads the audit report

The enterprise confirms the corrective action plans on the Sedex platform

The senior auditor reviews, accepts/rejects the corrective action plans

End/follow up the progress

The enterprise confirms with Sedex members (Class A and AB) if it accepts the report

Yes

Is the audit request initiated by the Sedex member (Class A or AB) as a supplier to the enterprise?

End