A New Standard for Social Accountability: SA8000

The purpose of this brief guide is to direct you quickly to information about the new international standard that relates to corporate social responsibility. To become knowledgeable about this subject, here are 3 suggestions:

2. Read Deborah Leipziger's SA8000: The Definitive Guide to the New Social Standard (HD 60.L45 2001). At this point (Oct. 2001), this is the only complete book on the subject. For your convenience an executive summary is provided below (after the list of articles).

3. Read the articles below which have been selected from ProQuest. A good place to begin is with the Thaler-Carter article in HR Magazine. Also, on the related subject of "Sweatshops" see the guide prepared in October of last year by the Business Library staff (Sweatshops). As well, the following may be useful - International Code of Ethics for Canadian Business.

Selected Articles on SA8000

The complete text of each article is provided below to members of the Western Community. Unfortunately, licensing arrangements limit our ability to deliver electronic access to those who are not currently enrolled students, or faculty members presently employed by the University. Those outside the community are welcome to visit the appropriate library to read the print version of each journal

"Multinational Enterprises and the Prospects for Justice,"Debora Spar, Journal of International Affairs, Spring 1999, Vol.52, No.2, pp.557-581.

"The Apparel Industry Response to 'Sweatshop' Concerns: A Review and Analysis of Codes of Conduct," Margaret A. Emmelhainz, Journal of Supply Chain Management, Summer 1999, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp.51-57.

"Social Reporting: A Reflexive Law Approach to Corporate Social Responsiveness," David Hess, Journal of Corporation Law, Fall 1999, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 41-84.

"Social Accountability 8000," Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, HRMagazine, June 1999, Vol. 44, No. 6, pp. 106-110.

"Gold Standards," Simon Jack, Supply Management, June 15, 2000, Vol. 5, No. 12, pp. 24-27.

"The Rise of the Virtuous Company," Roger Cowe, New Statesman, Nov. 6, 2000, Vol. 13, No. 630, p. R3.

"The Downward Spiral and the US Model Business Principles -- Why MNEs Should Take Responsibility for the Improvement of World-Wide Social and Environmental Conditions," Andreas Georg Scherer, Management International Review, Fourth Quarter 2000, Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 351-371.

"Corporate Reputation Management: 'CRM' with a Strategic Twist?" Prema Nakra, Public Relations Quarterly, Summer 2000, Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 35-42.

"Organizations as Responsible Contributors to Society: Linking Quality, Sustainability and Accountability," Jan Jonker, Total Quality Management, July 2000, Vol. 11, Nos. 4-6, p. S741.

SA8000: The Definitive Guide to the New Social Standard, Deborah Leipziger.
BUSSTK HD60.L45 2001.

SA8000 — Executive summary:
Social Accountability 8000 is a global standard designed to make workplaces socially responsible. Based on conventions of the International Labour Organization, SA8000 is already being adopted in 12 countries. The Standard addresses issues such as discrimination, health and safety, child labor, and compensation. Some of the world's leading companies are adopting the SA8000 model, including Toys 'R' Us, Avon, Otto Versand, and Dole Food Company Inc. Together the SA8000 companies represent annual revenues of $106 billion.
What makes SA8000 a breakthrough? SA8000:
* is the first auditable standard on workers' rights;
* is already operational;
*creates management systems for implementation;
* provides concise definitions of key terms;
* is global;
*can be applied to many sectors;
* is based on the ISO model, making it easier to integrate with quality and/or environmental audits;
*was developed by business, non-governmental organizations, and trade unions.
Companies around the world are finding that SA8000 is not only good for the community, but it is good for business as well. SA8000 can help your company to minimize risk while promoting:
* productivity and quality
*employee retention
*management systems
*improved supply chain management, and new markets and new customers.
SA8000: The Definitive Guide acts as a road map for companies seeking to implement SA8000. Through case studies, companies are introduced to some of the lessons learned from companies working to the SA8000 standard. The book addresses some of the most complex social questions facing companies: how to determine what constitutes a living wage and how to address social issues in China. SA8000 is discussed provision by provision, introducing basic elements and issues and drawing on the policies, strategies, job descriptions, and plans of major global companies.
There is a common misperception that only the South, or developing countries, can benefit from the implementation of SA8000. The reality is that the industrialized North also stands to gain from the adoption of SA8000. There are significant abuses of workers' rights in the industrialized countries, as well as in the developing world. Immigrants in world capitals such as New York City and London, who don't speak the country's language or know their legal rights, are subject to exploitation, just as they might be in their home countries, often with very little recourse.
In implementing SA8000, it is important to understand the regional issues that may affect implementation. Regional difficulties, however, cannot be used as an excuse for overlooking elements of the standard. SA8000 must be applied as a whole, regardless of location. Each region presents its own challenges to implementation. This book provides insights on social issues in six major regions: Asia, Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Western Europe and North America.
What is the future of social accountability? There are efforts underway to link social auditing with environmental and quality auditing. Considered the 'holy grail' of auditing, integrated and combined audits are currently being developed. Such audits will present challenges and opportunities for training and the development of management systems.
SA8000 was developed to provide a single, global standard on workers' rights. Over the course of several years, a number of standards have emerged that are either national or regional and/or sectoral. The multiplicity of standards is confusing to suppliers who have to work in a morass of acronyms. Few companies operate in one sector alone or in one market. As workplaces around the world are audited, companies will seek to alert consumers to the progress being made in the social arena. There is a danger that the wide range of codes will confuse consumers, which could lead to indifference and skepticism. Convergence is imperative for both consumers and suppliers alike.

Business Library Staff
University of Western Ontario
October 2001.