The SA 8000:2001 second issue of the standard has been developed by Social Accountability International (SAI) and Council on Economic Priorities Accreditation Agency (CEPAA). Being relatively a new standard, it is slowly getting proliferated into the industry and service sector and receiving appreciable response.

Private/Public sector companies and contractors across many industrial/service sectors would generally like to earn public confidence and client approval for their national and/or international markets. Certification under SA 8000 standard and required documentation for the standard provides companies opportunity to independently verify their own social record and also that of their contractors.

Benefits of certification to SA 8000 include the following
1) The requirements for social accountability performance are clearly defined
2) The management system ensures that company meets the performance
3) Significant reduction in the cost of managing different social requirements
4) Fair and safe working environment
5) Continual improvement and need for regular third party audits
6) Corporate reputation and a better position on ethical and social standards.

Please note that the certificates will be valid only if the surveillance audits are conducted on time.