Social Accountability Certification (SA 8000 / IS 16001)

Social Accountability Certification (SA 8000 / IS 16001)

End-to-End Handholding for Ethical Workplace Compliance & Certification – Praditha Engineers

In today's global business environment, organisations are increasingly expected to demonstrate ethical labour practices, fair working conditions, and respect for human rights. Customers, buyers, and international supply chains demand clear proof that organisations do not engage in unethical practices such as child labour, forced labour, discrimination, and unfair wages.

Social Accountability Certification (SA 8000/IS 16001) is a voluntary certification standard that provides an auditable framework for organisations to establish and maintain social accountability at the workplace.

Praditha Engineers provides complete professional handholding for Social Accountability Certification, helping organisations implement the system effectively and achieve third-party certification with confidence.

What is Social Accountability Certification?

Social Accountability Certification is a third-party auditable standard that sets requirements for organisations to ensure:

 • Prohibition of child labour

 • No forced or compulsory labour

 • Safe and healthy working conditions

 • Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining

 • No discrimination

 • Ethical discipline / humane treatment

 • Fair remuneration and wage compliance

 • Reasonable working hours and legal compliance

 • Strong grievance mechanism and transparent management systems

This certification is based on internationally recognised principles such as:

 • UN Declaration of Human Rights

 • International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions

 • International human rights norms

 • Applicable national labour laws

Why SA 8000 / IS 16001 Certification is Important

Organisations certified to SA 8000 / IS 16001 demonstrate their commitment to:

 • ethical employment and workplace fairness

 • compliance with labour laws and social responsibility expectations

 • improved brand image and stakeholder trust

 • eligibility for export orders and global buyer requirements

 • protection from reputational risk and market boycotts

 • improved employee morale, retention and productivity

Many exporting organisations increasingly require Social Accountability Certification to meet buyer expectations and supply chain compliance needs.

Social Accountability Management System (SAMS)

A Social Accountability Management System ensures continuous improvement through:

 • systematic monitoring and periodic evaluation

 • employee participation and feedback

 • grievance mechanisms with confidentiality and protection

 • corrective and preventive actions

 • supplier and stakeholder alignment with ethical sourcing principles

It encourages employees, suppliers and stakeholders to report concerns confidentially helping organisations identify issues early and respond effectively without retaliation.

Who Should Obtain Social Accountability Certification?

This certification is suitable for:

 • Manufacturing industries (textiles, garments, engineering goods, plastics, toys etc.)

 • Export-oriented units (EOUs) and merchant exporters

 • Large industrial units with contract labour

 • Warehousing and logistics organisations

 • Construction and infrastructure organisations

 • Any organisation seeking to demonstrate ethical workplace governance

Handholding Services by Praditha Engineers

Praditha Engineers provides complete support from planning to certification grant.

1) Documentation Development (Practical & Implementable)

We prepare:

 • SAMS manual and policies

 • procedures, SOPs, forms and formats

 • registers and compliance records

 • grievance mechanism and investigation procedure

 • supplier/social compliance evaluation records

All documentation is developed based on your actual processesnot generic templates.

2) Training & Awareness Programmes

We provide structured training programmes to ensure effective implementation:

Employee Training

Training to improve awareness and compliance understanding, delivered in English / local language based on need.

Management / Internal Auditor Training

Key personnel receive in-depth training to:

 • conduct internal audits

 • monitor compliance performance

 • implement corrective actions

Participants receive internal auditor participation certificate

Awareness Training

Focused training for staff managing labour compliance-related functions, grievance mechanisms and ethical workplace conduct.

3) Audit Preparedness & Mock Audits

To strengthen certification readiness, we provide:

 • internal audit support

 • mock audits to simulate certification audit

 • verification of records and compliance evidence

 • closure of gaps before third party audit

4) End-to-End Certification Support

From initial application to certification grant, we support you with:

 • selection of certification body (if required)

 • certification planning and audit coordination

 • audit preparation guidance

 • corrective action closure support

 • certification approval assistance

Two-Day Training Course on SA 8000 / IS 16001 (Optional)

Praditha Engineers offers a structured two-day training programme for organisations intending to implement SA 8000 / IS 16001.

Course Topics include:

 • purpose and relevance of Social Accountability Certification

 • overview of SA 8000 / IS 16001 and system structure

 • interpretation of requirements and implementation steps

 • roles and responsibilities of nodal officer

 • linkages with ISO 19011:2018 auditing guidelines

 • steps for certification, compliance monitoring and continual improvement

Why Choose Praditha Engineers?

 • Led by Shri M.V.S.D. Prasada Rao, Former Deputy Director General, BIS headed Management System Certification and Product Certification with 38 years of experience in BIS.

 • Team of former senior BIS officers with hands-on certification expertise

 • strong expertise in management system certification and audit preparedness

 • practical implementation approach (not theoretical)

 • training + documentation + audit readiness in one package

 • cost-effective, transparent and time-bound consultancy Model

 • one-point responsibility from implementation to certification approval

 • complete handholding till certification approval

 

📧 Email: bis@praditha.com | info@praditha.com

📞 Phone: +91-9885006680 | +91-9866706680

🌐 Website: www.praditha.com