This year, we published resources on ethical trade, social audits, and sustainable business practices. We have covered crucial topics from audit preparation to new EU regulations, providing valuable guidance and information for businesses operating in Africa and beyond.
We take a look back at our blogs from this year. From comprehensive guides on conducting social audits to detailed explorations of specific certification standards like SMETA, WIETA, and GLOBALG.A.P., these resources offer practical guidance for organizations at every stage of their ethical trade journey.
The Ultimate Guide to Social Audits and Ethical Audits
With the Ultimate Guide we provided comprehensive information about social and ethical audits, demystifying the process for companies that need supply chain auditing. The guide walked readers through the fundamentals of audits, explaining what organizations need to know before, during, and after an audit process.
The African context presents specific challenges that underscore the importance of these audits, including labor rights, environmental sustainability, community development, and cultural considerations. The guide outlined a structured four-step approach to conducting social audits: planning, data collection, analysis and reporting, and follow-up for continuous improvement.
Preparing for Social Audits
Thorough preparation is essential for a successful social audit. Key preparation steps include informing site management, arranging appropriate interview spaces, notifying labour providers, and preparing relevant documentation. This guide emphasized the importance of transparent communication with all stakeholders throughout the audit process.
We laid out key documentation requirements and highlighted the importance of worker engagement in the audit process. It provided practical steps for businesses to streamline their evaluation process while ensuring meaningful results.
Business Process Improvement Toolkit
The Business Toolkit, developed in collaboration with The Coca-Cola Company, Diageo, ABInBev and AIM-Progress, covers nine essential areas for business growth and sustainability. These areas include productivity and efficiency, quality, health and safety, time management, worker cooperation, workforce management, environment, business integrity, and land rights.
With the help of the toolkit business can identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve worker satisfaction. For example, it highlights how employee turnover costs can range from 30-150% of a worker’s annual salary, and how every $1 invested in health and safety can yield up to $6 in benefits through reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.
SMETA Audit: A Key Tool for Ethical Trade
The SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) stands as one of the most widely recognized social audit methodologies. Here we highlighted the differences between SMETA 2-Pillar and 4-Pillar audits, helping businesses choose the most appropriate option for their needs.
SMETA audits provide significant benefits, including reduced audit fatigue, improved supply chain transparency, and risk mitigation. The methodology offers a standardized approach that SEDEX members can share with confidence while maintaining flexibility to work with other codes based on International Labour Organisation conventions.
WIETA Audit: Ethical Practices in Wine Production
The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA) standard plays a vital role in promoting ethical practices in South African wine production. The standard comprises 13 key principles, covering aspects from management systems to environmental stewardship.
WIETA certification helps wine producers enhance their reputation, improve worker relations, and contribute to the sustainable development of the South African wine industry. The certification process involves comprehensive assessment of compliance with the WIETA Standard and Ethical Code of Best Practice.
GLOBALG.A.P. Certification
GLOBALG.A.P. stands as a leading global certification program designed to ensure safe and sustainable farming practices worldwide. Its significant impact is clear: in 2023, the organization’s standards were implemented by 194,177 producers across 137 countries, with 4,553,361 hectares of plant production certified and 2,679,361 metric tons of aquaculture products receiving certification.
The blog highlighted the specific GLOBALG.A.P. standards that Partner Africa is approved to audit, including IFA Fruits & Vegetables V5.4.1 & V6 GFS option 1 and IFA Fruit & Vegetables V6 SMART option 1. It also detailed available add-on modules such as GRASP for workers’ health and safety, SPRING for water management, and the Albert Heijn (AH-DLL GROW) module.
Understanding the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
The EU CSDDD marks a significant shift from voluntary commitments to mandatory obligations for businesses. The directive applies to approximately 6,000 EU companies and 900 non-EU businesses operating in the European market, with implementation phased between 2027 and 2029.
The directive establishes comprehensive requirements for human rights and environmental due diligence, including regular monitoring, prevention and mitigation measures, and remediation processes. Companies must integrate these practices into their corporate policies and demonstrate compliance through documentation and regular reporting.
Conclusion: Moving Forward with Partner Africa
These resources demonstrate the evolving landscape of ethical trade and social responsibility. We will continue to strive in providing you with valuable resources and information on ethical trade in Africa.
For businesses seeking to enhance their ethical trade practices, Partner Africa provides expert guidance in social audits, certification, and responsible business practices. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your organization’s ethical trade journey.
