Major Amendments in SMETA Version 6.1

After SMETA 6.0 version the new and advanced SMETA 6.1 version has been introduced in May 2019 which is based on the feedback received from Sedex stakeholder forum (SSF)’s SMETA working group. Before starting explaining the major differences between SMETA 6.0 version and 6.1 version let’s understand what these terms are. Sedex is an organization which works for the improvement of ethical and responsible business practices. Sedex gives a platform to Exchange Information with the clients. Many types of social audits are performed such as BSCI, WRAP, SA8000 and ICTI, and all social audits can be uploaded onto the Sedex platform and SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is the Audit methodology which is created by the Sedex members to share audit reports confidently. SMETA is a new audit process which compiles good practices in an ethical way. The audit report format of SMETA is easily understandable for all. SMETA version 6.1 is now  available in SEDEX advance. Now all the SMETA audits must be conducted against SMETA  version 6.1.

Major Changes in version 6.1

1) Audit Details: 2-pillar Comprises of Labour Standards and Health and safety plus Environment. There was no environment in version 6.0 and the “Environment” is upgraded to “Environment 4-pillar”. This helps us in identifying whether the checklist contains questions about the environment were part of 2-pillar or 4-pillar. Other 2 pillars of Labor standards and Business Ethics remain unchanged.

2) SMETA Declaration: To make the report smoother, an option is added that the readers can check the credentials of audit team about  Association of Professional Social Compliance Auditors (APSCA) certificate in detail. This information contains Lead auditor APSCA number, Lead auditor APSCA status, team auditor APSCA number, and the Interviewer auditor APSCA number.

3) Site Details: A New feature added in Site Details where GPS address and “Latitude/Longitude” boxes were found.

4) Grievances Mechanism: This question “Does the grievances mechanism meet UNGP expectations?” moved from “9: No Harsh or Inhumane Treatment is allowed” to section 0A: universal rights covering UNGP.

5) Worker Analysis: To improve clarity of “migrant worker” the definition is changed as “The term “migrant worker” refers to a person who is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a country of which they are not a national or permanent resident or has purposely migrated on a temporary basis to another in-country region to seek and engage in a remunerated activity”. The previous definition is permanent resident, it was given and where they do not intend to remain permanently. Also a new question is added so that auditor can prepare  in advance for the audit from the site and that question is “B: Please list the nationalities of all workers, with the three most common nationalities listed first.”

To boost the transparency, stability, and accuracy these are the minor changes which have been made in the report version 6.1.