Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) Best Practice Guidance

l The report must not include any information that could be used to identify specific workers – such as
names, ID numbers, job descriptions and / or work location.
l Unless agreed otherwise, the audit body will not distribute the report outside Sedex to any entities except
the audit requestor.
l To assist in a consistent approach to completion of a SMETA report please see “A Guide to completing a
SMETA Report and CAPR”.
8.2. Sedex and Uploading the Audit
The Sedex system depends on audit information being correctly uploaded onto the Sedex data base. To
demonstrate impartiality Sedex recommends that the audit information is uploaded by the audit company.
Some brands and retailers have specific requirements on which party should upload an audit and both the
auditor and the supplier site are advised to check these requirements.
Even when the auditor uploads the audit information control of visibility of the audit information remains with the
site, as they control access by their customer linkages.
Below are guidelines on how to upload audits to Sedex, as well as how to add and review corrective actions.
Where relevant links to step by step guidance are included.
The auditor must communicate sufficient information regarding Sedex to the audited facility, to ensure they
understand the activities the site must carry out on the Sedex system (please see the SMETA Pre-audit pack for
examples).
Information should include but not be limited to:
8.2.1. Benefits of Sedex
SMETA Best Practice Guidance (4-Pillar Version 4.0, May 2012)
l Sedex, Suppliers Ethical Data Exchange is a not for profit membership organisation for businesses
committed to continuous improvement of the ethical and responsible practices in their supply chains.
l Sedex promotes data sharing to ease the administrative burden on suppliers when trading with multiple
retailers / brand customers that require ethical audits. Suppliers can upload audits and share them with
their customers, cutting out repetition, cost and administration and reducing the number of audits.
l Sedex also allows the sharing of good practice at the site: site certifications can now be uploaded;
details of training programmes; involvement with community projects and NGO’s; good examples in
audit reports.
l Sedex members include leading global brands and thousands of suppliers already registered in over
160 countries. The member base is significantly growing each month and an ever increasing number of
customers are likely to be on Sedex.
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