SA8000
Facility-Level Social Accountability Certification
SA8000 is an accredited third-party certification: Facility-Level Social Accountability Certification. SA8000 is owned by Social Accountability International (SAI, New York). Accreditation runs through SAAS (Social Accountability Accreditation Services), a unit separate from SAI — the same scheme-owner/accreditation-body split found in GOTS. It applies to manufacturing operations seeking facility-level social accountability assurance.
- Class
- Accredited third-party certification
- Scheme owner
- Social Accountability International (SAI)
- Related sectors
- 1
- Last verified
What is this programme?
SA8000 is owned by Social Accountability International (SAI, New York). Accreditation runs through SAAS (Social Accountability Accreditation Services), a unit separate from SAI — the same scheme-owner/accreditation-body split found in GOTS.
Who is it for?
Manufacturing operations seeking facility-level social accountability assurance.
Who issues the certificate?
The certificate is issued by an independent certification body accredited by SAAS; SAI itself does not issue certificates.
What to verify before you accept it
Separately confirm the certification body's SAAS accreditation, and that the certificate is issued against the current version, SA8000:2026.
What triggers an assessment?
- A buyer or brand requires SA8000 certification.
- Facility-level social accountability auditing is targeted.
- An existing social compliance practice will be converted into an accredited certificate.
What does it not replace?
- It is not the same as SMETA; SMETA is an audit methodology and issues no certificate, SA8000 is an accredited certificate.
- It does not carry the same accreditation model as WRAP; SA8000's accreditation runs through a body separate from SAI (SAAS), WRAP has no external accreditation body at all.
Official source
Last verified:
This page is for information only; it is not legal advice. A programme appearing here does not mean it is required for your business. This library does not issue certificates.