Social Accountability International (SAI) SA8000

In 1997, Social Accountability International (SAI) was established and convened an expert, international, multi-stakeholder, Advisory Board to partner in developing standards and systems to address workers’ rights. Representatives of trade unions, human rights organizations, academia, retailers, manufacturers, contractors, as well as consulting, accounting, and certification firms, by consensus, cooperated to develop the Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000) Standard. Published in late 1997 and revised in 2001, the SA8000 Standard and verification system is a credible, comprehensive and efficient tool for assuring humane workplaces. The SA8000 system includes:

• Factory-level management system requirements
• Independent, expert verification of compliance
• Involvement by stakeholders
• Public reporting
• Harnessing consumer and investor concern
• Research and publication