Information on voluntary Certification - Foodcert India

32SA8000 CERTIFICATIONSA8000 is a voluntary private workplace certification programme that hasbeen developed by the non-governmental organization Social AccountabilityInternational (SAI) with the aim to create better working conditions. TheSA8000 standard is based on international workplace norms includingthose related to social justice, worker rights and working conditions. Someof the very large firms exporting banana, pineapple, tobacco, wine, cannedfruits and processed coffee are SA8000-certified. In December 2006there were almost 500 SA8000-certified facilities in Asia (of which 190in India, 140 in the Peopleûs Republic of China and 58 in Pakistan).Main requirements?The SA8000 certification sets minimum standards for working conditionsto ensure a safe and healthy working environment, freedom of associationand collective bargaining and an enterprise strategy for managing socialworkplace issues. Also there are rules for working hours, wages, preventionof discrimination and the use of children or forced labour.How to get certified?Enterprises that operate production facilities can apply for SA8000 certificationby one of the certification agencies approved by SAI. After theinitial inspection and once the workplace is certified, the company ismonitored to ensure continued compliance with the standards. The producingcompany usually pays the certification fee which includes the audit andcorrective or preventative action costs. The SA8000 certification mark isnot used on product labels but the company may use it in promotionalactivities. There is no specific price premium or market for SA8000-certified products.