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Program
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The expansion in global trade and investment has meant growth for companies, new opportunities for workers and communities, and a wide range of high quality, affordable products for consumers. But, global trade also brings the risk of doing business with firms that violate the rights of workers and damage the environment. And, instant media and Internet coverage mean that harm caused at a remote factory can become tomorrow's worldwide headline.
As global trade expands, the public has become more demanding. They have high expectations for price, quality, and convenience. But today, many people also care about working conditions and the environment. They are asking: Was this shirt made in a sweatshop? Did a child labor to make this ball? Did the growing of this banana expose workers and their community to harmful pesticides?
How companies address these concern affects profits and access to financing. Numerous surveys show that a substantial and increasing percentage of consumers and investors worldwide are influenced by a company's social and environmental performance. Governments are beginning to incorporate corporate social responsibility into public policy.
In today's global marketplace, there is a new tool to assure that companies and other employers maintain high levels of social and environmental performance. That tool is social accountability.
Social accountability assures responsible practices by setting high standards, implementing management systems, verifying compliance, transparency (or openness), participation by all interested parties, and a long-term, systematic approach.
Social Accountability International, a non-profit organization founded in 1997, seeks to improve workplaces and communities through social accountability systems for companies and other employers. The SAI approach includes comprehensive standards, independent accredited auditors who certify compliance at the facility level, and regular, verified public reporting. To develop and operate social accountability systems that work across industries and around the world, SAI brings together experts from business, trade unions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and government.
The first of SAI's social accountability systems is Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000), a leading global workplace standard. SA8000 is a system for retailers, brand companies, and the facilities that produce their goods and services to assure just and decent working conditions throughout the supply chain. SA8000 includes a standard that covers all widely accepted labor rights, training of managers and workers, verification of factory-level compliance by independent, accredited auditors and public reporting.
As of August 2003, there are SA8000 certified facilities in 36 countries and 35 industries, Leading retail and brand companies using SA8000 with their suppliers include Adidas, Avon, Chiquita, Coop Italia, Cutter & Buck, Dole, Eileen Fisher, GAP, Grupo Eroski, Kartstadt Quelle, Kesko, Limited Brands, Metro AG, OTTO, Timberland and Toys "R" Us.
For more information on SAI, SA8000 and its future social accountability systems, please visit our website at www.sa-intl.org or contact us:
e-mail: info@sa-intl.org
phone: +1 212-684-1414, ext. 231
fax: +1 212-684-1515
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