SMETA verification assesses social responsibility and labor standards in the supply chain – TÜV NORD CERT independently audits these in accordance with SEDEX requirements.
Contact us in 1 minute for SMETA verification
Brands, retailers and global customers increasingly expect their suppliers to provide transparent proof of fair working conditions, health and safety standards as well as ethical business practices.
SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) enables companies to demonstrate social responsibility across their supply chain through an internationally recognized, independent verification.
SMETA verification is particularly suitable for companies or organizations in the manufacturing sector that are suppliers to a Sedex member or global customers who require social‑compliance evidence as part of their sourcing or supplier approval processes. These include:
SMETA is particularly frequently requested during supplier onboarding or annual compliance checks when customers require proof of social compliance.
A major advantage: The audit results are made available to all relevant business partners via the Sedex database, eliminating the need for time-consuming and costly multiple audits.
SMETA verification by TÜV NORD offers you the following benefits:
There are different types of SMETA audits to choose from
The 2-pillar format covers
The 4-pillar format additionally covers
In addition to standard 2- and 4-pillar audits, a 3-pillar format may be used where, due to the nature of the service, environmental impacts are either negligible or assessed separately, while business ethics concerns remain applicable. The 3-pillar foramt shall be used only for Service Providers with Distributed Workforce (SP-DW) audits.
GOOD TO KNOW: Certification or verification?
Sedex SMETA is not a certification as such, but a verification. In contrast to a (successful) certification, a verification does not guarantee that the audited organization fulfils the requirements completely.
Verification to SMETA only testifies to the degree to which the audited organization fulfils the requirements.
SMETA is a widely used audit approach that helps businesses understand how well their suppliers meet ethical and social standards. It provides clear visibility into working conditions, health, safety, and overall responsible business practices. Therefore suppliers are assessed based on local laws, international labor standards, and widely accepted ethical guidelines such as the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code (ETI Base Code).
Sedex is a secure online platform where SMETA audit reports are stored and shared. It allows you to access supplier data easily and avoid repeating the same audits across your supply chain.
SMETA helps you identify risks, improve transparency, and ensure your suppliers meet both legal and ethical expectations. It also supports better decision-making when selecting and managing suppliers.
No, SMETA is not a certification. It is an audit report that highlights strengths, identifies risks, and outlines areas where suppliers need to improve.
SMETA encourages open communication and continuous improvement, helping you work more effectively with your suppliers over the long term. Suppliers can share one SMETA report with multiple customers through Sedex. This saves time, reduces costs, and avoids unnecessary duplication audits.
Using SMETA helps you:
A SMETA audit looks at key areas such as:
A 2-pillar audit focuses on labor standards and health & safety. A 4-pillar audit includes these and also covers environmental and business ethics topics, giving you a more complete picture of supplier performance. In addition to standard 2- and 4-pillar audits, a 3-pillar option may be used where, due to the nature of the service, environmental impacts are either negligible or assessed separately, but business ethics concerns exist. This is option shall be used only in Service Provider with Distributed Workforce (SP-DW) audits.
Service Provider with Distributed Workforce (SP-DW) audits are applicable for Client-Site Service Providers (like cleaning, security, catering maintenance etc.) and Domestic Road Transport Operators. Conventional SMETA audit guidance and reporting structure is designed for a single, fixed “site of employment” where workers, supervisors, managers, documentation and working conditions can all be assessed in one location. SP-DW audits require a modified audit methodology as mainly workers may be deployed to multiple locations and the workplace may be outside the Service Provider’s control. These audits differ from conventional site-based SMETA audits as an audit structure is made of three components (with permitted exceptions): Service Provider Office visit, site visit(s), and Office revisit, designed to evaluate both management systems and their implementation across dispersed workplaces.
The audit includes a site visit, document review, and private interviews with workers. This combination helps ensure the information collected is accurate and reflects real working conditions.
Audits can be announced, semi-announced, or unannounced, depending on buyer’s approach to risk management. However, SEDEX recommends semi-announced or unannounced audits.
Auditors cross-check information from different sources (documents, observations, and worker feedback) to ensure the findings are consistent and trustworthy.
No, SMETA does not use a scoring system. Instead, it provides detailed findings so you can make informed decisions based on risks.
Any issues found during the audit are clearly described in the report created at Sedex portal. This helps you quickly understand where action is needed. In case of identified issues, suppliers are required to create a corrective action plan that explains how they will fix the issues, who is responsible, and when the improvements will be completed. Most issues are expected to be addressed within 30 to 90 days, depending on their severity.
TÜV NORD CERT is an internationally recognised testing and certification service provider. We assess and certify the fulfilment of legal requirements and voluntary standards worldwide. Our auditors are experts in their field and work with a standardised methodology. This allows us to guarantee you neutrality, independence and continuous support.