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.