Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) Best Practice Guidance

Issue title: No documentation on file / missing documentation.
l Description of non-compliance: Employees had not been validated by the employer for their legal
right to work by reviewing original documentation.
l Local law or ETI requirement: With effect from 1st May 2004, all new employees will be required to
provide evidence of their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment.
l Recommended corrective action: Entitlement to work original documentation shall be collected and
validated.
l Objective evidence observed: Based on documentation reviewed, it was found that entitlement to
work documentation had not been collected for employees who commenced work after 1st May 2004
(2 cases).
A7.2. Collecting Observations
An observation is recorded where there is a site practice which does not contravene the law or standard, but if
not corrected it could lead to a non-compliance. It is an opportunity for improvement e.g.
l Fire extinguishers all appear in date and correct but no system in place for checking.
l Personnel handling chemicals were doing so satisfactorily but no system in place for training new
workers.
A7.3. Collecting Good examples
A good example is an issue which the auditor feels is over and above the standards and applicable laws
against which the site was audited e.g.
l Crèche available for the children’s workers. (where not required by law).
l Storage for bikes and shower facilities.
SMETA Best Practice Guidance (4-Pillar Version 4.0, May 2012)
Good examples can be collected through on-site observation and interviews, and can be summarised under
the section “best practices observed” of the SMETA report. The site will not be required to enter an action for
a GE.
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