What is SEDEX & SMETA Certification? Explained

SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) is a nonprofit organization that operates a collaborative platform for sharing ethical supply chain data. Being a SEDEX certified company means that the organization has undergone an assessment process and met certain standards related to responsible and ethical business practices within its supply chain.

SEDEX does not provide certifications itself; instead, it offers a platform where companies can share and manage information about their supply chain practices. It enables companies to report on various aspects of their supply chains, such as labor standards, health and safety, environmental practices, business ethics, and other relevant factors.

Being Sedex certified means that a company or organization has undergone an ethical and social compliance assessment, which is based on the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) or similar ethical auditing standards. The main goal of Sedex certification is to promote responsible and ethical business practices within the supply chain. It focuses on four key pillars:

• Labor Standards: Ensuring fair and safe working conditions for employees, including fair wages, reasonable working hours, and adherence to labor laws.
• Health and Safety: Implementing measures to protect workers' health and safety, providing a safe working environment, and preventing accidents and injuries.
• Environment: Encouraging sustainable practices, minimizing environmental impact, and complying with relevant environmental regulations.
• Business Ethics: Upholding ethical business practices, including transparency, integrity, and compliance with laws and regulations.

By achieving Sedex certification, a company demonstrates its commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainable practices, and social responsibility. This can be important for building trust with customers, investors, and stakeholders who prioritize ethical considerations in their business relationships.

TIP: When looking for a sustainable jewelry manufacturer to work with, ask them if they are Sedex certified or have third-party audits, and how often do they do their audits? When was their last audit? A company that has audits by an outside auditor every two years is a good example of best practices in ethical manufacturing.