SA8000 Introduction & Basic Auditor Training

This newly updated course provides an overall introduction to social auditing and specifically auditing in accordance with the SA8000:2026 Standard. It is recommended for anyone interested in understanding social compliance auditing and human rights due diligence, and is a requirement for all SA8000 Team Auditors. 

Through interactive case studies and in-person discussions and group exercises, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of due diligence and labor standards, common challenges and solutions for meeting them, methods for gathering and evaluating evidence, and more. 

Learning Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of labor standards and performance, and management systems
• Understand social audits and their value, including as part of effective due diligence and compliance programs  
• Understand the role and professional conduct of the social auditor  
• Meet basic training requirements to become a social auditor, including core principle of APSCA certification  
• Be able to participate as a team auditor in SA8000 system, or an internal auditor for SA8000 companies   

The training course involves in-depth case studies and group exercises that allow for interactive learning and practical application of methods and tools. The course concludes with a comprehensive exam, and students who successfully pass are awarded the SA8000 Basic Auditor Training Course Completion Certificate. 

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Upcoming Trainings

Course Details

Target Participants

This course is designed for participants hoping to become SA8000 Team Auditors as well as other stakeholders, who wish to conduct social compliance audits, advance labor rights, or apply a management system approach in their supply chain.

Prerequisites

There is no formal prerequisite for this course at this time. However, SAI recommends that students attending the course should understand the fundamental auditing principles and protocols at a basic level. It is recommended that all participants familiarize themselves with ISO/IEC 19011 prior to attending the course.

Special Rates

Trade Unions, NGOs, SAI Corporate Members, employees of SA8000-certified organizations, and groups may be eligible for special rates for this course. See details here.

External Course Providers

In addition to SAI, several approved external course providers also offer this training.

Please note: External course providers currently only offer the SA8000:2014 version of this course.