Description

4B Solutions is one of the largest consultancy providers of Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audits (SMETA). These audits have gained popularity as brands and retailers seek to partner with suppliers that participate in SEDEX to ensure ethical trading and corporate social responsibility. There are two types of audit under SMETA- 2 pillar audit and 4 pillar audit. The two pillars mandatory for any SMETA audit are Labor Standards and Health & Safety. The two additional pillars of a 4-pillar audit were introduced to further deepen the social responsibility aspect of SMETA audits. A SMETA 2-pillar audit comprises the following modules: • Labor Standards • Health and Safety • Additional Elements: o Management Systems o Entitlement to Work o Subcontracting and Home working o Environmental assessment (shortened) A SMETA 4-pillar audit covers the above elements, plus: • Environmental assessment (extended) • Business Ethics Audit standards can be based on local law and regulations, ETI base code or any special requirements by the client. The SMETA Sedex audit content comprises of 14 codes: 1. Management systems and code implementation 2. Forced labour 3. Freedom of association 4. Health and safety 5. Child labour and young workers 6. Wages and benefits 7.Working hours 8.Discrimination 9.Regular employment 10.Sub-contracting and home workers 11.Disciplinary 12.Entitlement to work, migrant and agency worker 13.Environment – 2 pillar/4pillar audit 14.Business practices – 4 pillar audit