Sedex is a data-sharing and collaboration platform that helps companies manage information on sustainability, business ethics and responsible supply chains.
October 29, 2026
What are smeta, sedex and social audits, and how can they help manage supply chain risks?
Regulatory pressure, rising customer and consumer expectations, and growing demands for transparency are prompting many organizations to strengthen oversight of their supply chains. In this context, social audits are a valuable tool for assessing labor practices, working conditions, business ethics and specific sustainability issues.
Two of the most widely recognized resources are the SMETA methodology and the Sedex platform, which organizations use to assess, manage and share information on their suppliers’ social and ethical performance.
What are smeta, sedex and social audits?
Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) is a platform that facilitates the exchange of information on sustainability and ethical performance across supply chains.
SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is a social audit methodology developed by Sedex to assess labor standards, health and safety, environmental performance and business ethics.
Although they are often used together, they are not the same:
- Sedex is the platform used to manage and share information
- SMETA is the audit methodology
- Social audits are a broader category that may include SMETA or other recognized protocols
What business needs do smeta and social audits meet?
Social audits can provide value both to large organizations with extensive supply chains and to suppliers serving multiple customers.
They can improve supply chain visibility, highlight supplier-related reputational risks, assess working conditions and business practices, support corrective action, and strengthen supplier management and monitoring.
What information is needed before starting a social audit?
Before requesting a proposal or launching a social audit, it is helpful to define the project objectives clearly and gather the key background information.
- Name of the company or companies to be audited
- Address of each site or facility
- Number of workers at each site
- Type of audit: SMETA 2-Pillar, SMETA 4-Pillar, BSCI, ICS, a customer checklist or the audit provider’s methodology
- Audit format: announced, semi-announced or unannounced
Frequently Asked Questions
SMETA is a social audit methodology developed by Sedex to assess labor practices, health and safety, environmental performance and business ethics.
SMETA is a specific type of social audit. Social audits can also be conducted using other protocols, standards or checklists.
SGS can help define the scope, select the most appropriate methodology, conduct social audits, and support ongoing monitoring and improvement, subject to the availability and scope of services in each market.
How SGS can support you
Managing social and ethical risks across the supply chain requires reliable information, a structured approach and methodologies tailored to each organization’s objectives. SGS can support both buyers and suppliers in designing and implementing social audit programmes.
- SMETA social audits and other recognized methodologies, where available
- Supply chain risk assessment and classification
- Corrective action monitoring and verification programs
- Technical support for planning social compliance projects
Contact SGS to discuss your supply chain needs and define the social audit programme that best suits your organization.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
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