How does SA 9000 operate?

• As in the cases of ISO 9000 quality management system and ISO 14000 environmental management system, SA 8000 provides a framework for independent assessment by a third party certification body
• SA 8000 includes a set of social accountability standards and a guidance document
• Through continuous assessment, it provides the companies with a system for continuous improvement
• Through an appeal process to the certification body, non-governmental organizations (i.e. NGOs), if they have supporting evidence, can challenge the SA 8000 certification of a company .