SA8000 Standard Revision 2023-2024

In 2023-2024, SAI is undertaking a full revision of our SA8000 Standard for Decent Work. The SA8000 Standard is the basis for all of SAI’s programs to advance human rights for workers around the world, from our flagship SA8000 Certification Program to our capacity building work with brands, companies and other organizations, to our systems-focused landscape projects. It is also used as a benchmark by many other standards, policymakers, and in company codes of conduct. 

The purpose of this revision is to ensure that the SA8000 Standard continues to serve as a leading benchmark for ethical workplaces at all levels of the value chain, reflecting evolving human rights risks and good practices.  

There will be many opportunities to participate and provide input to this process, including in-person and online stakeholder workshops around the world and an online public comment period. We will continue to update this page throughout the revision process and all opportunities to participate will be widely announced. Check back here for updates or sign up for our mailing list. 

We are committed to an inclusive and transparent Standard Revision process. At each stage of public review, we will proactively seek input from workers and their advocates, especially those with personal experience and insight on human rights abuses at work. If you would like to participate in some way, or to nominate a person or organization to participate, please reach out to communications@sa-intl.org. 

Get Involved

Public Comment Period (September 16 – November 17, 2024)

The revised SA8000 draft and guiding documents are available to view and download at the links below. Read more about the revision goals and processes.

Reference Documents

We recommend reviewing the documents in the following order: 1) Terms of Reference; 2) Guide for Review; 3) SA8000 2025 Draft Standard.

Please note that translated versions of SA8000:2025 are for reference purposes only. These translations are not official and may contain inaccuracies or omissions. For authoritative information, please refer to the English version.

Provide Feedback

We invite anyone with an interest in the future of decent work to review and provide comments, feedback, and suggestions through the provided form below. Watch our feedback explainer video.

Step 1 – Download Feedback Questions: We recommend taking a moment to review the 1) Overview Feedback Questions and 2) In-depth Feedback Spreadsheet at the links below before opening the SA8000:2025 Feedback Form.

Step 2 – Submit Feedback: Responses to the Overview Feedback Questions can be submitted directly in the webform (button below). The optional In-Depth Feedback Spreadsheet can be uploaded on the final page of the webform. Please send us a message at sa8000@sa-intl.org with any questions.

Public Feedback Events

Feedback Webinars: SAI will be hosting SA8000:2025 feedback webinars as an additional opportunity to provide input to the drafted Standard. Webinars are open to all. Even if you plan to attend a webinar, we encourage you to also complete the webform during the public comment period. This will help us focus discussion during the webinars.

Public Feedback Workshop (Vietnam): SAI will be hosting a public in-person feedback workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on November 22, 2024. Even if you plan to attend the workshop, we encourage you to also complete the webform during the public comment period. This will help us focus discussion during the workshop.

• Date: November 22, 2024
• Time: 8:30am – 12:00pm 
• Location: Novotel Saigon Centre
• Address: 167 Hai Ba Trung, Ward Vo Thi Sau, District 3 – Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam
• Registration: Click here to register (must be logged in to the Training Center to register – find login instructions here)

Informational Webinars: SAI delivered informational webinars during the public comment period, providing details about the Standard revision process, the draft Standard, and guidance for how to review and provide feedback. View a recording of the webinar (English).

2023 Key Country Revision Workshops

From July to October 2023, SAI held 13 workshops across 10 countries to gather feedback on our initial draft materials and input to inform future stages of the drafting process. Nearly 250 people attended the workshops and provided their valuable expertise and insights. Participants came from SA8000-certified companies, audit firms, government agencies, and human rights and workers’ rights organizations, contributing a wide range of perspectives.

Notice

Any changes to the Standard will be implemented in 2024 and beyond, including updates to SA8000 training. As with previous revisions, SA8000 auditors will need to take a short revision training to maintain their training credential. This revision training will also be available to anyone who has taken an SA8000 Basic or Advanced training.

Because we cannot yet predict when the SA8000 Basic Training will be revised and revision training made available, we encourage anyone considering SA8000 training to proceed with the current version. Participants who complete the SA8000 Basic Training in 2023 or later will be able to take the revision training for free when it becomes available.