New to Sedex audit?? Here’s all you must know about it!!

Sedex Audit

Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) is basically a non-profit membership organization that is focused on driving enhancements in responsible and ethical business practices in the global supply chains. With the use of its online database, Sedex shares supply chain data so that retailers and brands can easily see how their potential suppliers are meeting their ethical and social responsibilities. Sedex audits are generally based on the SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) guidelines and presently it has more than 36,000 members in over 150 or more countries. 

Sedex audit aims to attain two major things including:

• Improve and enhance the ethical workings of the global supply chains. 
• Soothe the burden and issues of suppliers by reducing the need for several questionnaires, audits, and certifications.

These points mean that the suppliers can have audits done at their sites that furthermore ensure that they are meeting all their ethical and social responsibilities regarding their employees as well as the working environment. Moreover, once the audit is over, it is uploaded to the Sedex platform in order to make it visible for the supplier’s customers to view them and evaluate any issues. 

 Benefits of Sedex audit to a supplier:

It is very necessary that suppliers are able to describe to their customers that corporate social responsibility and ethical trade is taken very seriously. Why, because an ethical audit put onto Sedex is a very practical and convenient means to do this in a transparent and reasonable manner. With the right Sedex audit, the supplier members can even share the data with multiple customers, thereby enhancing its brand and credibility. All this demonstrates standard compliance, and also reduces the overall audit costs.

Benefits of Sedex audit to a buyer:

Determining suppliers across a global or nationwide supply chain can be very daunting. It’s no longer as easier as choosing a supply chain on the basis of delivery times, quality and price. Besides, there is also a duty of care and attention to both customers and clients to ensure that the suppliers are operating in an ethical manner and are taking corporate social duties seriously. 

Who is responsible for conducting Sedex audits?

Usually, the auditors who are willing to perform these types of ethical audits can easily register with the Sedex database. This can be done either through a freelance auditor or simple membership or by becoming a full-time member of the Sedex audit company group. All the audits are performed by accredited and qualified auditors working to the SMETA guidelines and ensuring that all the highest standards of the audits have been followed by them.