SMETA Audit

SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is a social responsibility audit standard launched by the Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) platform, used to evaluate suppliers' performance in labor, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. Usage scenarios: European and American customers (especially UK retailers such as Tesco and M&S) often require Chinese factories to pass SMETA audits to prove compliance with ethical trade requirements. Notes: SMETA audits are divided into 2-Pillar (labor, health and safety, environment, business ethics) and 4-Pillar (adds depth in environment and business ethics); reports are typically valid for 1 year; audits do not issue certificates, only generate reports, and must be uploaded to the Sedex platform. Differences from other terms: Unlike BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) or ICS (International Compliance Audit), SMETA emphasizes data sharing and customer self-review, and audit types are divided into announced, semi-announced, and unannounced. Foreign trade practitioners should note whether the customer specifies an audit firm (e.g., Intertek, SGS), the audit scope, and the rectification deadline for non-conformities.