Social Accountability Management Systems (SA8000:2026)

Updated Standard on Worker Protection

SAI – Social Accountability International has published the new version of the SA8000 standard. This represents the fourth revision of the standard, which since 1997 has become a global best practice for social accountability management systems.  

The new SA8000:2026 introduces several terminological updates and reorganizes specific elements related to the management system. 

SA8000:2026 - Key Elements and Changes

1. Decent Work Performance Criteria

The Decent Work Performance Criteria have been renamed to reflect the positive outcomes organizations should achieve, rather than negative conditions to be avoided. Some criteria have also been merged, and a new criterion on Privacy has been introduced.

  • Principle and Decent work performance criteria

    20142026
    1. Child labourD1: Protection of children and young workers
     
    2. Forced or compulsory labour
         		D3: Fair and free recruitment, employment, and termination
     
    3. Health and safety
         		D6: Health and Safety
     
    4. Freedom of association and right to collective bargainingD2: Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining
     
    5. Discrimination
         		D5: Freedom from discrimination
     
    6. Disciplinary practices
         		D3: Fair and free recruitment, employment, and termination
     
    7. Working hours
         		D4: Decent working hours, wages, and benefits
     
    8. Remuneration
         		D4: Decent working hours, wages, and benefits
     
     D7: Privacy

2. REORGANIZED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM STRUCTURE

  • The management system structure has been recognized as follows

    20142026
    9.1 Policies, Procedures and Records
         		M1: Leadership commitment, engagement, and integration
    M4: Policy commitment and consistency
    M6: Objectives, planning, and resources
    9.2 Social Performance Team
         		M1: Leadership commitment, engagement, and integration
    M2: Worker engagement and integration
    9.3 Risk identification and assessment
         		M5: Context, impacts, and risks
     
    9.4 Monitoring
         		M9: Monitoring and grievance mechanisms
     
    9.5 Internal involvement and communication
         		M7: Awareness and implementation
     
    9.6 Complaint management and resolution
         		M9: Monitoring and grievance mechanisms
     
    9.7 External verification and stakeholders
         		M3: Stakeholder engagement and integration
    M8: Integrity and transparency
    9.8 Corrective and preventive actions
         		M6: Objectives, planning, and resources
    M7: Awareness and implementation
    M10: Strategic analysis, review, and continuous improvement
    9.9 Training and capacity building
         		M7: Awareness and implementation
     
    9.10 Supplier and contractor management
         		All

3. Expanded Organizational Responsibility Toward All Impacted Workers

In the previous version, social responsibility focused primarily on an organization’s direct workforce, while supply chain due diligence was treated as a separate requirement (9.10 Supplier and contractor management).  

The new SA8000:2026 adopts an integrated approach in which responsibility extends to all workers, including those within the supply chain, who may be directly or indirectly impacted through the organization’s operations and business relationships.

As a result, supply chain management is now embedded across both management criteria (M1–M10) and performance criteria (D1–D7). 

4. Progressive Scoring System

A new evaluation methodology based on a scoring system has been introduced, enabling organizations to understand their current level of performance and maturity, and to undertake a structured, progressive improvement journey.

The Role of Bureau Veritas in Social Accountability

  • We conduct audits aimed at SA8000® certification, ensuring rigorous assessment of management systems;
  • We operate under Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS) accreditation, guaranteeing that our audits are conducted impartially, competently, and effectively.

Only SA8000® certificates issued by SAAS-accredited certification bodies are recognized by stakeholders as a true indicator of social performance.

New Horizons for Social Accountability

While SA8000® remains the most recognized pathway, Bureau Veritas offers additional opportunities to enhance corporate social responsibility.

PAS 24000:2022 (Publicly Available Specification) is an emerging and increasingly recognized solution.

PAS 24000 is a social standard built on the ISO Annex SL structure and fully integrable with ISO management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. Its requirements largely overlap with SA8000, covering human rights, health and safety, labour relations, ethics, and corporate due diligence.

  • Why Certify a Social Accountability Management System?

    A robust social accountability management system, certified by an independent third party, is a key tool for demonstrating an organization’s genuine commitment to human rights in an increasingly conscious market, where customers, investors, and business partners are placing greater scrutiny on social performance. 

    Such a system helps identify and manage risks related to human rights violations within the supply chain such as child labour, forced labour, or inhumane working conditions which can significantly damage corporate reputation.

Certification also provides a structured response to due diligence obligations introduced by the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDD).

Systematic risk identification, impact assessment, integration into business processes, concrete preventive measures, continuous monitoring, accessible grievance mechanisms, and transparent communication now represent not only a strategic voluntary choice, but also a structured approach to regulatory compliance.

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