SMETA AUDIT IN THAILAND

https://www.iso-certification-thailand.com/smeta-audit.html

What Is SMETA — and Why It Matters

Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) developed SMETA as a standardized social & ethical-audit methodology to help organizations assess labour conditions, health & safety, environmental practices, and business ethics across their operations or supply chains. Sedex+2TÜV SÜD+2

With increasing global focus on responsible sourcing, ethical labor, and sustainable business practices, SMETA provides a unified, widely accepted framework that helps companies — especially manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers — demonstrate commitment to fair labour standards and corporate responsibility. LRQA+2TÜV SÜD+2

What SMETA Audits Cover: The Pillars & Scope

SMETA audits can be done under two main configurations:

• 2-Pillar Audit — mandatory:
  • Labour Standards — covering workers’ rights, fair wages, working hours, no forced or child labour, non-discrimination, freedom of association, etc. TÜV SÜD+2LRQA+2
  • Health & Safety — assessing workplace safety, hygienic conditions, emergency preparedness, accident prevention, safe working environment etc. LRQA+2NSF+2
  • Additional elements often included: management system review, verification of entitlement to work, subcontracting / homeworking checks, and a shortened environmental assessment. QIMA+2TÜV NORD+2
• 4-Pillar Audit — more comprehensive: includes all the 2-Pillar elements plus:
  • Environmental Assessment (full/extended) — evaluating environmental policies, waste & emissions management, resource usage, pollution control, environmental compliance. LRQA+2Management Systems World+2
  • Business Ethics — covering corporate ethics, anti-corruption/anti-bribery, ethical conduct, transparency in operations and supply-chain dealings. TÜV SÜD+2BSI+2

Because of its flexible “pillar” approach, organizations can choose audit scope based on their size, risk-profile, customer requirements or the nature of their business. LRQA+2iso-certification-thailand.com+2

How SMETA Audit Works — Process & Methodology

1. Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): Before the onsite audit, the facility or site fills out a self-assessment questionnaire to provide initial data on their policies, processes, workforce composition, and compliance status. TÜV NORD+2testcoo.com+2
2. On-site Audit Visit by Third-Party Auditor: SMETA audits must be conducted by approved third-party auditors (known as Sedex Affiliate Audit Companies). During the audit, the auditor reviews documentation (payroll, contracts, safety logs, working-hour records, policies), inspects facilities (work environment, living quarters if applicable, safety measures, hygiene), and conducts confidential interviews with management and workers. TÜV SÜD+2testcoo.com+2
3. Audit Report + Corrective Action Plan: Once the audit is completed and reviewed, the auditor issues a SMETA Audit Report along with a Corrective Action Plan Report (CAPR) if any non-conformities are found. This gives the audited entity a structured roadmap to fix issues. iso-certification-thailand.com+1
4. Sharing & Transparency (via Sedex Platform): One of SMETA’s strengths is that audit results can be shared across multiple buyers/clients via the Sedex platform — reducing duplication of audits for suppliers and offering visibility/transparency to stakeholders. TÜV SÜD+2cdn.scsglobalservices.com+2
5. Continuous Improvement & Follow-ups: SMETA is not a one-time compliance “seal.” Organizations use findings to improve conditions, implement corrective actions, and may undergo follow-up audits or periodic reviews. The audit methodology is built around continual compliance, improvement, and supply-chain responsibility. Verner Wheelock Associates+2testcoo.com+2

Why Companies & Suppliers Use SMETA — Key Benefits

• Demonstrate Ethical & Responsible Practices: Undergoing a SMETA audit shows clients, buyers, and regulators that your operations — or supply-chain partners — adhere to recognized labour, safety, environmental and ethical standards. TÜV SÜD+2LRQA+2
• Reduce Audit Fatigue: Because SMETA results are shareable via a common platform, suppliers don’t need to undergo separate audits for every buyer — saving time, money and administrative burden. TÜV SÜD+2cdn.scsglobalservices.com+2
• Risk Management & Transparency: Helps in identifying potential non-compliance or risks (unsafe working conditions, labour abuses, environmental hazards) and addressing them systematically via CAPR. LRQA+2testcoo.com+2
• Improved Supplier & Workplace Performance: Corrective actions based on audit findings can lead to better working conditions, safer workplaces, stronger compliance — which helps in long-term sustainability and employee welfare. TÜV SÜD+2NSF+2
• Global Recognition & Buyer Confidence: As SMETA is widely accepted globally across sectors and geographies, being SMETA-audited helps suppliers build credibility and access new markets, trade relationships, and business opportunities. Sedex+2Management Systems World+2

Important Clarification — SMETA Audit is Not a “Certification”

Unlike some certification schemes, a SMETA audit does not result in a “pass/fail certificate.” Instead, it results in a detailed audit and a corrective-action report. The goal is transparency, assessment, and continuous improvement — not a binary “certified” status. Sedex+2BSI+2

Because of this, being “SMETA-compliant” is less about a one-time label, and more about ongoing commitment — policies, working conditions, environmental impact, ethics, monitoring, and willingness to improve. TÜV SÜD+1

When Should a Business Consider SMETA — Who Should Use It

SMETA is especially relevant when:

• You operate manufacturing units, factories, farms, or any business with a workforce — especially in labour-intensive industries such as garments/textiles, agriculture, manufacturing, supply-chain operations.
• You supply products/services to buyers, brands or retailers that demand ethical sourcing and responsible supply-chain compliance.
• You want to provide transparency to clients, partners or regulators about labour practices, working conditions, environment and corporate ethics.
• You’re part of a global supply chain and need to meet internationally accepted social-compliance expectations.
• You want to avoid repeated audits for different clients — by using SMETA as a standardized, shareable audit tool that satisfies multiple buyers’ ethical requirements.

Conclusion — SMETA: A Powerful Tool for Ethical, Transparent, and Responsible Supply Chains

SMETA offers businesses a globally accepted, structured way to audit and assess social, labour, environmental and ethical practices. For suppliers, manufacturers, or anyone in a multi-tier supply chain, undergoing SMETA audit — and acting on its findings — can help build trust, ensure responsible operations, improve working conditions, and enhance credibility with buyers and stakeholders worldwide.